UN envoy should stop misleading international community on Darfur- rebel leader
January 14, 2008 (PARIS) — Darfur rebel leader has called on the UN envoy for Darfur to stop misleading international community with regard to the peace process. He reaffirmed that only full deployment of the hybrid force can create conducive environment for the political settlement of the crisis.
The founder of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) told Sudan Tribune that Eliasson should stop his efforts to divide Darfur people and to create factious groups and entities to mislead the international community pretending have representative movement to deal with Khartoum and to conclude a lasting peace in Darfur.
Al-Nur added that talks with Khartoum only can start when the African Union-Untied Nations troops are on the ground and implement their mandate related to the protection of Darfur civilians.
The influential rebel leader asks for “conflict suspension” as a condition to hold talks with the Sudanese government. He reiterated that ceasefire implementation and the protection of civilians by the international troops could convince his movement to join the talks.
The U.N. special envoy for Darfur last December faced a firm opposition from Fur tribesmen during a tour in the tribal heartland of Abdelwahid al-Nur. The UN official was trying to draw the reluctant chief’s followers into new peace talks that have stalled since October.
Darfur main groups criticise Eliasson for his attempts to overcome their movements and bring small and unrepresentative groups to negotiate with Khartoum. Leader Justice and Equality Movement, Khalil Ibrahim said he wants Eliasson to sign with him before peace talks a deal on who will be invited to the peace talks before to attend the negotiations.
A previous Darfur peace deal signed in May 2006 has largely failed, because al-Nur and Ibrahim refused to endorse it. But Eliasson said last December he wants to start talks in earlier January because countries wary of sending troops would be reassured if a political settlement is under way.
The U.N. estimates that over 4 million people — two thirds of Darfur’s population — are now seriously affected by the conflict. With the spread of chaos, some of the Darfur Arabs have now also fled to refugee camps, and others joined the rebel movements.
APPEAL TO NORDIC TROOPS
Abdelwahid al-Nur further appealed the Swedish and Norwegian governments to not drop their participation in the 26000 hybrid force. He added that their joint engineering unit to the peacekeeping force is crucial for the success of the operation.
Sweden and Norway said on Wednesday December 9 they had withdrawn a plan to send about 400 troops to Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region because of opposition from the Sudanese president. The troops, 160 from Sweden and 240 from Norway, were supposed to help build infrastructure in an early stage of the operation.
The rebel leader said the European Union should also contribute to the UNAMID and contribute to provide the necessary 16 helicopters.
Al-Nur also hailed the deployment of the European peacekeeping force (EUFOR) that is expected to be soon deployed along the Sudan Chad border to protect the Darfur refugees in eastern Chad from the Khartoum backed Janjaweed militia.
(ST)