Sudan reaffirms support to AU forces in Darfur

July 8, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — President Omer al Bashir today reaffirmed the support of the Government of National Unity to the African Union Forces in Darfur and the new AU commander in Darfur, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, so that they could perform their mission successfully in the region.

During a meeting with the newly appointed African Union Forces Commander, Agwai, Sudanese president al-Bashir reiterated the government’s resolve to back the peace process and development in Darfur, the official SUNA reported on Sunday.

Speaking to the press following the meeting, the AU forces commander pointed out that the mission of the AU force is to back the efforts being exerted by Sudan and African Union with the view to reach a comprehensive and final peace in Darfur region. He further said that peace in Darfur would be peace for the whole continent.

General Agwai pointed out that Sudan being the largest country in the continent and Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa, could play an important and leading role in the stability and the progress of the continent.

Gen. Martin Agwai, from Nigeria, arrived in Sudan on Tuesday July 3 to replace another Nigerian at the head of the current 7,000-strong AU mission that began to deploy in Darfur in June 2004. Also he will lead the UN-AU Hybrid Force when it is deployed.

Prior to his appointment in Darfur, Agwai was chief of defense staff for the Nigerian armed forces.

He has also served as deputy force commander for the United Nations mission to Sierra Leone, and deputy military adviser at the department of peacekeeping operations at the U.N.’s headquarters in New York.

(ST)