Sudan accuses UN-AU peacekeeping force of ‘double standards’
February 10, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government lashed out today at the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and his representative Rodolphe Adada over their statements condemning a recent government offensive in west Darfur.
“We are surprised at the double standards demonstrated by the UN Secretary General, the Joint envoy and some countries for condemning the national army while performing their duties of protecting the sovereignty of the nation” said a foreign ministry statement.
“These parties did not move to condemn the rebel movements when they overran these areas by force that claimed innocent human lives” the statement added.
The government, in its largest offensive in months, on Friday attacked Abu Surouj, Sirba and Suleia towns, forcing an estimated 200,000 from their homes — 12,000 of whom have fled into neighboring eastern Chad.
The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) said about 12,000 Darfuri refugees had crossed into eastern Chad after Friday’s air and ground attacks.
Sudan has banned international aid workers from moving to the area in the past few months so reports are difficult to verify.
The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said one of their Sudanese staff was killed in Suleia and they were still trying to contact other employees.
UN Chief condemned the attacks and said that “all parties must adhere to international humanitarian law, which prohibits military attacks against civilians”.
The UN-AU Joint Special Representative for Darfur Rodolphe Adada also issued a strongly worded statement saying that “attacks on villages by Government forces have resulted in deaths and significant population displacement… This must stop immediately”.
Adada also warned that UNAMID stands ready to intervene to stop similar attacks.
“Protecting civilians and promoting peace are central elements of the mandate of UNAMID. There will be no standing idly by in the face of loss of life” he added.
But the foreign ministry statement hinted that more military campaigns may follow.
“The Sudanese government and its army are committed to the mandate of protecting the territory, borders and its citizens from all dangers and within the framework of our sovereign rights” the foreign ministry said.
International experts estimate 200,000 have died and 2.5 million displaced in five years of conflict in Darfur.
Washington calls the violence genocide, a term Khartoum rejects. They blame the West for exaggerating the conflict.
(ST)