Chinese are not welcome in Darfur – IDPs
November 23, 2007 (NYALA) — Darfur displaced have rejected the participation of the Chinese troops in the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping operation comparing China to Khartoum backed militias.
Hussein Abusharati, the spokesperson of Darfur Internally Displaced People and refugees expressed in statements to Sudan Tribune the rejection of the displaced in the war-torn region of the participation of Chinese troops in the Hybrid Operation.
“We reiterate our full rejection of the Chinese peacekeepers. The genocide and the robbery are taking place in Darfur since 2003 thanks to Chinese weapons. They should know that they are not welcome in Darfur.” Hussein said.
The IDPs spokesperson said they do not distinguish between the Chinese soldiers and the Janjaweed, Khartoum backed militias that participate besides the regular army to quell the armed insurrection in western Sudan.
“We do not make a distinction between the Chinese troops and the Janjaweed, because they come to Darfur not to protect the Darfur civilians but to protect their own interests in the Sudan particularly the oil.”
Around 135 Chinese engineers are to arrive Saturday in Darfur. They are coming as an advance team and part of three platoons that will be responsible for paving the way by digging wells, building roads and bridges before the expected deployment of hybrid troops next year.
China will also send peacekeepers to participate in the Hybrid Operation next year.
(ST)