UN Chief rules out quick amelioration in Darfur security

August 30, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) – U. N. chief Ban Ki-Moon painted a gloomy picture ruling out any quick amelioration of the security situation in Darfur, adding that the deployment of peace forces would take more time.

In a report circulated on Friday, the Secretary General said the deployment of a 26,000-strong peacekeeping force in Darfur will take many more months because of growing insecurity and logistical difficulties.

He further added that the only way to end the growing insecurity will be through political talks and a peace agreement.

“If we are to see real progress, decisive political action, which encompasses the whole of Sudan, is needed,” Ban said in a report to the U.N. Security Council for the month of July.

The U.N.-AU force took over peacekeeping duties in Darfur in January from a beleaguered AU force. As of July 31, it had just over 8,100 military personnel and fewer than 1,900 police on the ground, out of a total of 26,000 that have been authorized.

Nigerian Gen. Martin Agwai, the commander of the peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID, said in June that he expected the force to grow to 13,000 in three or four months, and he expressed optimism the force could reach its goal of 80 percent of the full deployment by year’s end.

The secretary-general did not say whether the 80 percent deployment target would be met, but he raised several new obstacles.

Preparations for the deployment of additional troops and police “continue to be hampered by significant logistical challenges and insecurity,” Ban said.

Engineering and construction work in camps for the peacekeeper “have not advanced as anticipated,” he added.

Increasing banditry in July also “substantially hindered UNAMID and humanitarian operations” as did aerial attacks and tribal clashes that erupted over disputed land rights in southern Darfur, he said.

“In spite of our efforts, deployment will take many more months during which UNAMID will continue to experience serious shortfalls in communications, logistics, medical evacuation and treatment, and air support,” Ban said.

“This means that UNAMID … will continue to be extremely vulnerable in the months ahead,” he said.

Ban said the July 8 attack underlined the force’s critical need for aircraft, and he appealed again for donor countries to supply 18 medium-lift helicopters, 6 attack helicopters, reconnaissance planes and trucks.

ICC ALTERED THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

Ki-Moon, also seemed unsettled over the issues of justice and peace in Darfur. Ban said it was important to seek justice for any crimes committed in Sudan but made it clear that justice was not the only top priority.

“The international community also has the responsibility to seek agreement on the equal importance of peace and justice in trying to meet the needs of the people in Darfur,” Ban said in the report.

However the Secretary General did not criticize Moreno-Ocampo’s request for an arrest warrant against president Omer Al-Bashir. Instead he emphasized that the ICC “is an independent institution and the United Nations respects the independence of the judicial process.”

But he said the prosecutor’s request had “altered the political landscape, although it is too early to assess the impact it will have on the peace process.”

The success of the new AU-U.N. chief mediator, Djibrill Yipene Bassole, “will hinge on the will of the parties to resolve their differences through dialogue” as well as international support for his efforts.

The U.N. and AU have tried for months to open new peace talks between Sudan and rebel groups following the failure of a 2005 agreement to stem the violence that erupted in early 2003. But most rebel chiefs are boycotting the negotiations.

(ST)