Rwanda, UN discuss bolstering AU forces in Darfur

Oct 5, 2006 (KIGALI) — The Rwandan president discussed with a UN envoy ways to boost African Union peacekeeping forces in Sudan war-torn Darfur region. The envoy said he still optimist that Sudan would accept UN takeover.

President Paul Kagame and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s special advisor on genocide prevention, Juan Mendez, Wednesday discussed how to bolster the African Union (AU) forces in Darfur, reported the Rwandan newspaper the New Times.

“We have discussed with the president how to boost and strengthen the current AU force on the ground with a view of reducing casualties,” Mendez said.

Mendez said the conflict in Darfur has claimed the lives of between 250,000 and 500,000 people, and displaced some 2.5 million others.

He took a swipe at Khartoum for attacking Darfur rebels despite a truce signed between the two parties. The envoy however expressed optimism that the impasse could still be overcome, making it possible for the UN to deploy a 21,000-strong force.

Rwanda provides 2000 officers and men to the AU’s 7000-strong force. The African forces are mandated to enforce a ceasefire between the government and rebels in the region.

Khartoum welcomed the extension of the AU mission from September to the end of the year, after it rejected the deployment of a UN force.

The UN has warned that if Khartoum does not accept a UN force, other measures would be taken.

(ST)