Deby – Force may be needed to resolve Darfur conflict

April 18, 2006 (N’DJAMENA) — President Idriss Deby said Tuesday that the world may have to use force in Sudan’s conflict-ravaged Darfur region in order to bring stability not just to Sudan but Chad as well.

Deby said that Sudan is not interested in resolving its three-year old Darfur conflict and wants to destabilize the region in order to control it.

“I have repeatedly and strongly suggested to the international community that the Darfur region be stabilized even if by use of force and to be put under U.N. mandate,” Deby told journalists.

“We need to resettle the refugees and the internally displaced, because we are running out of time,” he said without elaborating.

Deby made the comment six days after rebels that he claims are backed by Sudan fought government forces on the outskirts of the capital, N’djamena in battles the government says killed at least 350 people.

Sudan has repeatedly denied Chadian officials’ claims that it backs Chadian rebel groups based on the Sudan-Chad border. It has instead accused Chad of backing Darfur rebels that have been fighting for more autonomy for Darfur, that is the size of France and borders Chad.

(ST/AP)