German FM hails UN Darfur resolution
August 1, 2007 (ABUJA) — German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday welcomed the UN Security Council’s approval of a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force for Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region.
Steinmeier told reporters after landing in Abuja at the start of a three-day West African tour that the “hybrid” force was proof that African nations were increasingly assuming responsibility for stability on the continent.
“This mission is new in the sense that although it will operate under the auspices of the United Nations and be decisively backed by the international community, the Africans want to shoulder this difficult task themselves,” he said. “That is a positive development.”
The Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to mandate a 26,000-strong force to take over peacekeeping in Darfur from 7,000 ill-equipped AU troops in a bid to end four years of bloodshed in the western Sudanese region.
Steinmeier hailed Nigeria’s role in mediating in the Darfur crisis, which has cost more than 200,000 lives according to UN figures. Abuja is also the biggest troop supplier to the AU force.
Germany offered 200 soldiers to supply logistical support to the AU force but its right-left ruling coalition has ruled out any direct participation in the hybrid force.
Steinmeier, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Eight wealthiest nations, is travelling with a delegation including members of parliament and representatives of cultural and research institutions.
His trip got off to a rocky start, however, when he learned after his arrival in Abuja that the new Nigerian foreign minister, Ojo Maduekwe, was not in town but in neighbouring Benin.
“The just-named foreign minister is in Benin today,” a surprised Steinmeier told German reporters, stifling a laugh.
“His deputy (Bagudu Hirse) welcomed us. He had a very good state secretary with him.”
Steinmeier said they had discussed the priorities of the new government including stabilisation of the turbulent, oil-rich Niger Delta with the help of Nigeria’s neighbours, which Steinmeier indicated could explain Maduekwe’s absence.
The Nigerian foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the new government would raise some consular problems concerning the “high handedness” of German authorities in their treatment of Nigerian illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in the talks with Steinmeier.
Steinmeier said the talks with Hirse had also covered ways to boost German investment in the country and the possible creation of a German-Nigerian chamber of commerce.
Nigeria is Germany’s second most important strategic trade partner in sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa.
On Thursday he is scheduled to meet President Umaru Yar’Adua and the leaders of the National Assembly.
Steinmeier noted that the new Nigerian leadership had come to power in parliamentary and presidential elections in April that were marred by irregularities.
“Nevertheless we hope that Nigeria will continue on the path of political and economic reforms,” he told reporters.
Steinmeier will continue on to Ghana Thursday where he will meet President John Kufuor and his Ghanaian counterpart Akwasi Osei Adjei.
(AFP)