Sudan pledges to provide security to Darfur peacekeepers
July 24, 2008 (EL-FASHER) – The Sudanese president, who was in North Dafur during a two day tour in the troubled region, has pledged to provide security to the hybrid peacekeeping force.
On Wednesday, Omer al-Bashir visited the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Mission (UNAMID) headquarters where he met with the Joint Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada, and senior staff of the mission.
Al-Bashir expressed his condolences to UNAMID over the death of seven peacekeepers who were killed in an ambush earlier this month in North Darfur and barely two weeks later, another was shot dead in West Darfur.
He also reiterated Sudan’s resolve to provide security for UNAMID staff and convoys. “You are our guests and our partners,” he said, “and we are ready to provide any assistance that will help you do your work.”
Adada spoke about the difficulties facing the deployment of the hybrid mission troops, however he said they determined to bring UNAMID up to its full capacity as soon as possible.
During a meeting with the Arab League Chief, Amro Musa on July 21, Adada said that Ethiopian and Egyptian battalions are expected by the end of the month. The United Nations and African Union aim to have some 26,000 peacekeepers in Darfur, but only 9,000 are on the ground.
Earlier last June, the Nigerian Gen. Martin Agwai said that within three or four months, he expected the force to grow to 13,000 with the Egyptian, Ethiopian, Thai and Nepalese troops. He expressed optimism the force could reach its goal of 80 percent of the full deployment by the end of the year.
But the mission still lacks five critical capabilities to become operational: attack helicopters, surveillance aircraft, transport helicopters, military engineers and logistical support.
Further, Adada told al-Bashir that UNAMID has thousands of containers awaiting “movement along the difficult and sometimes dangerous routes into Darfur,” and called on the Government of Sudan to assist and ensure that the convoys reach their destinations safely.
(ST)
Alex Kenyi
Sudan pledges to provide security to Darfur peacekeepers
Ridiculous!
It’s ridiculous for Sudan to pledge to provide security to Dafur Peace keepers… It is laughable!!!
The Peacekeepers are there, supposedly to provide security for the Dafuris…
OR Southerners for that matter…
Does it therefore, make any sense for the same to be protected by the SAF?
How can the peacekeepers protect the Dauris if they themselves need protection from SAF? How can they if the same SAF is constantly accused of doing most of the damage in Dafur, to the Peacekeepers?
What kind of protection from SAF when the same is attacking the Peace keepers in disguise?
Lodule
Chier Akueny
Sudan pledges to provide security to Darfur peacekeepers
WHY should Bashir promise protection to UNMID Peacekeepers after the indictment.
He had already committed genocide and so there is no way Bashir can clean his fate and court of laws Judge him.
I am sorry to see him talking about peace in Darfur. If these are truth then international communities should ask why not all these time.
Bashir had lost the lives of innocent people in all over Sudan and now he is not in position to accept death. How can a brave man escape death?
He told the media one slogan that he will be taken from presidency chair to the grave direct. And now Bashir has feared death. If the international court of laws needs Sudan to be at peace permanently therefore Bashir should be prosecute him like Sadam Husein of Iraq.