AU Darfur mandate extension welcomed by campaigners
Aegis Trust
Media Release
September 20, 2006 — Campaigners involved in Sunday’s ‘Global Day for Darfur’ – which saw demonstrations in major cities in over 40 countries worldwide, and has been credited by some with pushing the crisis to the top of the agenda at the UN this week – have welcomed today’s announcement of the African Union’s extension of the mandate of its mission in Darfur from 30 September to the end of the year.
“This is excellent news. Despite being under-resourced and under-manned, the African Union has responded to international concern for the fate of Darfur’s Africans and decided to stay,” says Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust, which played a significant role in organising the ‘Day for Darfur’.
‘Buys time’
“However, this only buys time,” Smith states. “It is helpful that the UN will reinforce the AU mission with resources and material, but the member states must now seize the moment to do what it should have done years ago; mandate full provision of money, equipment, logistical support, vehicles and helicopters to enable the AU to protect civilians in Darfur effectively.
“The deliberate targetting of African civilians by the Government of Sudan and its proxy militias in Darfur must be brought to a halt immediately, and the African Union mission needs wealthy nations – including the UK – to provide the means to do that.”
‘Please don’t risk our safety anymore’
“I can’t tell you what this means to me,” says Darfuri survivor Ismail Jarbo. In 2003 he saw his father killed in front of him during a Government bomb attack, but still has family and friends in Darfur. “It’s a stay of execution; another day, another week, another month for those left in my family to have a chance to survive. But I beg the UK and the international community – please don’t continue to risk our safety anymore. Beyond December, whether it’s an AU or a UN force, our people need protection. They need the chance to return to their homes and start rebuilding their lives. And there is no time to lose, because whatever is to be in place from the end of December needs to be planned right now.”
A spokesman for the United Nations tonight stated, “The Secretary General called for this extension in Banjul, and the United Nations will be working to support and assist as best we can.”
ENDS
For more information, contact Media Officer David Brown, mobile: +44 (0)7812 640873, email: [email protected]