UN envoy aggravates tribal divisions in Darfur – rebel leader
December 9, 2007 (PARIS) — The UN envoy is undertaking a dangerous enterprise to broaden tribal divisions in the war-torn region of Darfur, a rebel leader said.
In a statement to Sudan Tribune related to the visit of the UN envoy to Darfur, the Sudan Liberation Movement leader, Abdelwahid al-Nur, said that Jan Eliasson after the failure of Sirte talks is now attempting to encourage tribal divisions among Darfurians.
Jan Eliasson is on a trip to Darfur to press key rebel leaders to join the talks. He also met with different tribal leaders to take part in the peace process. He also visited the Fur and Al-Hutiya tribes to encourage them to be represented in the peace process.
Al-Nur said the UN envoy during his current visit to Darfur visited different tribes promising to associate them in the peace process.
“He tried to divide Darfur movements and bring them to the table of negotiations in Sirtes, but this policy has failed. So now after this failure he goes to Darfur addressing the tribal leadership promising them direct participation in the talks.” Al-Nur said.
The rebel leader regretted that the UN envoy is playing now in the camp of Sudanese government. “Eliasson is simply implementing the policy of divide and conquer exactly like Khartoum government.” He added.
“If he wants to realize peace in Darfur he should play a positive role in the peace process.
“He has to respect the live of Darfur people who just want security on the ground, and this can be realised the deployment of Darfur troops, and the disarmament of the militias.” Al-Nur said.
Al-Nur also called upon the international community to send troops from all the continents to Darfur and to provide the necessary equipments and helicopters for the hybrid force to re-establish security and protect civilians. he said this force is crucial for the return of displaced to their villages.
A joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force is supposed to deploy in Darfur next month, taking over from an outgunned and undermanned AU mission that has been unable to quell the conflict.
Several rebel chiefs have said talks shouldn’t be held until the 26,000-soldier force moves in. But the commander for the 26,000-strong force has warned he will have less than half the pledged troops when the mission begins and fears lengthy delays before it effectively deploys.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also hasn’t been able to win commitments from any nations to provide transport and attack helicopters that are deemed essential to creating a peacekeeping force strong enough to provide security for its own troops as well as Darfur’s civilians.
(ST)