Sudan defends the controversial Rwandan general
By Wasil Ali
August 22, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government blasted accusations directed at a Rwandan general, nominated as deputy commander for the new U.N.-African Union force in Darfur.
Last week a Rwandan opposition group accused the newly nominated deputy commander for the Darfur hybrid force of being a “war Criminal”.
The Rwandan United Democratic Forces (UDF) opposition group said in a statement sent to Sudan Tribune that Major General Karenzi Karake has been documented to be responsible for a number of killings between 1992 and 2000.
The UN said it is investigating into these allegations. A UN official told Reuters that leadership positions in the UN require “the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, respect for diversity and accountability.”
Abdalmahmood said that some countries want to “smear the reputation of the African Union in the eyes of the world”.
The Rwandan government has stuck to its choice which is likely to create some delays in setting the structure of the hybrid force.
Eric Reeves, an academic and an expert on Sudan affairs, told Sudan Tribune that this issue “highlights the very difficult command-and-control issues”
“This will infuriate the Rwandans if Karake is denied a role, and that will make it even more difficult to field adequate African forces, given Rwanda’s skill and professionalism, and the sheer size of its contingent and potential to add to it” he added.
The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when an ethnic minority rose up against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum, which then was accused of enlisting the Janjaweed militia group to help crush the rebellion.
(ST)