G8 urges action against perpetrators of Darfur ‘atrocities’
June 8, 2007 (HEILIGENDAMM, Germany) — The Group of Eight powers on Friday called for action against “the perpetrators of atrocities” in Darfur and said it would back UN action against the Sudanese government and rebel groups if the conflict is not ended.
US President George W. Bush had led calls for the summit of the industrialised powers to take a tough line against Sudan over the war and to support new UN sanctions.
“We are deeply concerned about the tragic security and humanitarian situation in Darfur,” said the G8 summit’s final declaration.
The statement deplored the bombings carried out by Sudanese government forces in northern Darfur in April and May, as well as attacks by rebel factions on African Union troops.
“Those violating the human rights of civilians in Darfur must be held responsible and we will support efforts to bring the perpetrators of atrocities to justice,” the declaration said.
“If the government of Sudan or the rebel movements continue to fail to meet their obligations, we will support appropriate action in the Security Council.”
According to UN figures, more than 200,000 people have been killed and more than two million displaced in four years of conflict in Darfur which the United States has called a “genocide”.
The G8 said the Sudanese government and opposition groups must allow unhindered access for humanitarian organisations and gave strong backing to a proposed UN force for Sudan.
International pressure is mounting on the Sudanese government to allow the deployment of the UN force to bolster African Union troops and the G8 countries urged Khartoum to back the force.
“The conflict in Darfur threatens peace and security in the wider region, the statement said, citing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Chad and the Central African Republic.
It called on the governments of Chad and Sudan to honour commitments to “halt support to armed movements” and to work toward improving their relations.
Speaking earlier on the sidelines of the summit, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also expressed concern over the failure to get international troops into Darfur.
“I’m concerned about slow progress,” Ban told a news conference.
“The international community has waited too long and the people in Darfur have suffered too much and too long.”
The UN chief expressed hope that the Sudanese government will “favourably agree … as soon as possible” to the deployment of UN and African Union peacekeeping forces in the region.
The proposal is for the deployment of a 23,000-strong peace-keeping force to replace the current 7,000 African Union soldiers in the region.
“That will facilitate a humanitarian assistance,” Ban said.
Ban said he hoped the government would agree to the proposal for a joint force in talks scheduled for Monday and Tuesday when UN and African Union officials are to meet with Sudanese representatives in Addis Ababa.
A team from the Security Council is also to take up the issue with Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir during a visit to Khartoum on June 17.
The United States this week stepped up pressure on Khartoum, warning that the government would face fresh UN sanctions unless it accepted the deployment.
The region has been gripped by ethnic fighting since February 2003 when Khartoum enlisted the help of Arab militia to put down a rebellion.
(AFP)