Germany ready to expand Darfur contribution-minister

August 11, 2007 (BERLIN) — Germany is prepared to widen its contribution to peacekeeping efforts in Sudan’s Darfur region, Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul was quoted as saying on Saturday.

Air transport support currently provided by the German armed forces should “be expanded if necessary”, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung quoted the minister as saying.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition of her conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) had previously expressed scepticism about expanding Germany’s role in Darfur.

Germany’s armed forces have a mandate which lasts until mid-December to deploy as many as 200 personnel to help African Union troops with logistics and transport in western Sudan.

The U.N. Security Council last month authorised up to 26,000 troops and police for Darfur and approved the use of force to protect civilians against violence which has driven more than 2 million people from their homes over the past four years.

Infantry soldiers will be drawn mainly from African nations if enough can be recruited. The mission will incorporate the under-equipped and under-financed 7,000 AU troops already in Darfur.

(Reuters)