Rwanda denies supporting UN peacekeeping forces to Darfur

Oct 7, 2006 (KIGALI) — Kigali today has denied a statement published in the local press made by Rwandan foreign minister expressing support to the UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.

In a press statement broadcasted Saturday by the state-run radio, the Rwandan government said “committed to contribute to the return of peace in Darfur but shall only maintain its troops in Darfur in a mission that has agreement and the support of the government of Sudan”.

“The government of Rwanda believes that the future of AMIS or the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur is a matter to be negotiated and agreed upon between the African Union, the United Nations and the government of Sudan,” the statement added.

“The government therefore rejects any other position attributed to it by the media as a distortion and a misrepresentation of the its above mentioned position”.

In a statement to Rwandan The New Times, Foreign Minister Charles Muligande said his country is backing the UN takeover from the AU forces in Darfur. The minister said there is an urgent need to replace the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) due to the force’s increasing incapacity, occasioned by lack of funding.

Rwanda has about 2,000 soldiers among the AU mission in Darfur.

(ST)