U.N. Security Council warns Sudan of sanctions

NEW YORK, July 30, 2004 (dpa) — The U.N. Security Council on Friday warned Sudan that it will face sanctions unless it fulfils its commitments to end the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Darfur where the United States said up to 80,000 have died.

The 15-nation council voted 13-0 to adopt a resolution on the crisis in Darfur. China and Pakistan, which oppose sanctions against Sudan, abstained.

The council said it would apply Article 41 of the U.N. Charter, which allows imposition of economic sanctions and severance of diplomatic relations “in the event of non-compliance” by Khartoum.

The sanctions could be applied incrementally every 30 days if there would be lack of progress by Khartoum to fulfil the commitments that it signed on July 3 with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. The commitments include disarming the militias in Darfur, investigating and punishing violators of human rights and allowing relief workers free access.

The Bush administration said Friday before the council vote that 30,000 people have been killed and another 50,000 died of starvation and malnutrition in Darfur as a result of the conflict between Khartoum-back Arab militias and two African rebel groups in the past year.

The council ordered an arms embargo against the Arab militias known was Janjaweed, asking all U.N. members to prevent sale of weapons, ammunition and war equipment and aircraft to the Janjaweed.