Remain cautious on Sudan’s acceptance of UN support – rebels

April 16, 2007 (LONDON) — A Darfur rebel leader called international community to remain cautious regarding Sudan’s acceptance of the UN heavy package in support of the African peacekeepers in Darfur. He further said no peace talks before protection of the civilians.

The leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Abdelwahid al-Nur has hailed efforts of the international community to persuade Sudanese government to accept the second phase of a UN plan to bolster a peacekeeping operation in Darfur. However, he said world should remain alert because Khartoum had dishonoured many agreements.

Sudan approved Monday the first significant deployment of 3,000 U.N. peacekeepers to support the AU forces in Darfur. According to the 16 November understanding between AU, UN and Sudan government, the three parties adopted a three phases plan to support the beleaguered 7,000-member African Union force.

After the enforcement of the first and the second phases Sudan should accept the deployment of the “hybrid operation”. Khartoum repeatedly requested that all the soldiers of this third phase should be African and under African command.

Al-Nur told Sudan Tribune he wants first to see this hybrid force achieving its mission: restoration of security and protection of civilians in Darfur. After that “we can speak about negotiations.” Al-Nur stressed.

“We should not repeat the mistake of Abuja, and engage talks with the government while Khartoum governors continue to conduct genocide in our region.” Al-Nur explained.

He further said that return of all the displaced and the refugees to their villages and their protection by bleu helmets are the sine qua non conditions to resume talks with Khartoum.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has repeatedly rejected a UN force. But he has come under increasing pressure from the US, the European Union, some Arab and African countries, and recently-close ally China.

Though al-Bashir’s government has a history of finding loopholes in agreements with the UN and others, the deal reached Monday appeared to be a significant step forward in bringing a more effective peacekeeping force to Darfur.

Nonetheless, US diplomats and UN officials said they remain cautious until the UN peacekeepers are on the ground in the vast western province where more than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million have been displaced since the conflict began in 2003.

The first phase, a light support package including UN police advisers, civilian staff and additional resources and technical support, has already been sent to Darfur. The UN, AU and Sudan agreed on the second phase heavy support package last Monday at a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – except for the helicopter gunships.

(ST)