‘Genocide’ developing in Darfur – Nigeria’s Obasanjo

Oct 10, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo urged Sudan Tuesday to accept a UN role in its troubled western Darfur region, where he said “genocide” was developing and African peacekeepers are overwhelmed.

In some of the strongest comments by an African leader to date about the situation in Darfur, Obasanjo said the African Union mission must be handed over to the United Nations but retain its African character.

“It is not in the interest of Sudan, nor in the interest of Africa nor indeed in the interest of the world for us all to stand by and see genocide being developed in Darfur,” he told diplomats and AU officials at the pan-African body’s headquarters here.

The United States and some relief agencies have characterized the Darfur situation as “genocide” in the past, but Obasanjo is believed to be the first African leader to use the word.

At least 200,000 people have died from fighting, famine and disease, and more than two million have fled their homes in Darfur since fighting began between local rebels and pro-government militia in February 2003.

The cash-strapped African Union has a force, known as AMIS, on the ground in the region but it is hampered by a limited mandate and shortages of troops, transportation and money.

Sudan has refused repeated calls to transfer the mission to the United Nations despite UN Security Council resolutions authorizing a force and Obasanjo said Khartoum must drop its opposition to allieve suffering there.

“The great challenge before us now is how to strengthen and sustain (AMIS) until the transition to a UN mission with the support and cooperation of the government of Sudan and while retaining its African ownership and character,” he said.

Last month, the Security Council agreed to send a force of some 17,000 troops and 3,000 police to Darfur to take over from the African Union mission, the mandate for which expires on December 31.

But Khartoum has steadfastly rejected the transfer to the United Nations.

AU officials say they intend to boost the strength of AMIS from its current level of 7,200 troops to 11,000 but have cautioned that the plans are uncertain due to chronic funding shortages and lack of transport.

In addition, Obasanjo called on the two Darfur rebel groups that have not signed a faltering AU-negotiated peace deal to ink the pact.

“We should also remain focused on encouraging those who have not signed up to the Darfur Peace Agreement to do so and to ensure (its) faithful implementation,” he said.

(ST/AFP)