Russia ready to consider humanitarian aid to Darfur

March 11, 2009 (MOSCOW) – A Russian official said his country is willing to consider to provide Sudan with urgent assistance to avert a humanitarian crisis in the war torn region of Darfur.

The special envoy to Sudan Mikhail Margelov said Wednesday that Russia is ready to mull sending medical and food assistance to Sudan to “prevent a humanitarian catastrophe” in Darfur following the expulsion of 13 aid groups from the region.

Margelov, who was in Darfur last January, further said the situation in the country could deteriorate following the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir over crimes against humanity and war crimes against Darfur civilians.

“In fact, tens of thousands of refugees currently in the country could be left without food, medical aid and even shelter,” he said.

The Russian government is supportive to regional efforts invoke Article 16 of the International Criminal Court (ICC) statute to suspend prosecution of Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.

During his visit to Khartoum last January, Margelov said his government is proposing an international conference on Darfur to be held in Moscow later this year. He further said that his country is “actively engaged on Sudan issues and wants to play an active role in UN Security Council (UNSC), Africa and in world affairs”

Russia and Sudan has stronger military relations than economic ones with the former selling weapons including fighter jets.

(ST)