AU to send military observers to troubled Sudan’s Darfur region next week

KHARTOUM, Sudan, April 17, 2004 (PANA) — The African Union (AU) is to send military observers next week to monitor the ceasefire agreed last week by the Khartoum government and two rebel groups in Sudan’s restive western Darfur region, national news agency, SUNA reported Saturday.

Under the ceasefire and humanitarian agreements signed in the Chadian capital N’djamena, and mediated by President Idriss Deby, the Sudanese parties agreed to cease hostilities within 72 hours for a renewable period of 45 days.

SUNA quoted the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Saeed Jenit as saying, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Namibia have agreed to contribute the military observers to be deployed in Darfur.

He said the AU would also discuss the possibility of sending forces to Darfur should the violence escalate.