Pronk’s 3 steps to activate Darfur accord
July 3, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The U.N. representative in Sudan refuted claims that he sought to reformulate a Darfur peace agreement, stressing the urgent need for immediate implementation.
Jan Pronk said in a statement Monday “the peace agreement over Darfur reached in Abuja (Nigeria) is still facing resistance on the ground, especially by refugees, mainly due to wrong interpretations which limit the accord’s effectiveness in restoring security and stability to the province.”
He argued that three steps should be taken urgently in order to deal with the situation, which is becoming more complex with delays in implementation of the accord.
“The first step is to implement what was agreed upon at the right time because delays in implementation will strengthen the stance of those opposing the agreement,” Pronk said.
The second step stipulates gaining larger support for the accord, securing genuine international guarantees and disarming clearly and seriously the Arab Janjaweed militias accused of committing racial cleansing in the war-torn province in west Sudan.
The third step, Pronk said, will be to secure more funds for compensation and reconstruction of areas inhabited by the displaced and the refugees before they are driven further away.
“These steps should be implemented immediately in order to transform Abuja’s accord into a sustained treaty,” he added.
Pronk denied reports that he had called for rectifying the accord over Darfur in order to include the parties who opposed it, stressing that what he proposed last week was misinterpreted and that he sought to activate the agreement and not reformulate it.
Pronk had said the agreement needed international guarantees and a clearer plan for disarming Arab militias and paying compensation to the victims of war.
(UPI)