Sudanese group fears possible wastes dumping in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Aug 05, 2004 (PANA) — A Sudanese human rights group warned
Wednesday that international warlords and war mongers might
take advantage of the deteriorating situation in the civil
war-torn western region of Darfur to engage in dangerous
practises, including dumping nuclear wastes.

“The Sudanese Human Rights Group (SHRG) deemed it necessary to
draw the attention of the conflicting parties in Darfur about the
imminent danger,” the group said in a press release in reaction
to the presence of many regional and international organisations
in the troubled areas.

SHRG’s head Ustaz Ghazi Suliman said that despite the government
presence in the region, “we feel also it must draw attention of
International circles concerned such as the United Nations, the
International Atomic Energy Agency and environment protection
organisations to fight all attempts of dumping nuclear waste in
Darfur desert”.

“The government and international community should take the
necessary protective measures against such attempts,” said the
release.

The group reaffirmed the need to opening secure corridors for the
delivery of relief supplies to all people affected by the Darfur
incidents.

On Wednesday, the African Union announced that it would send a
peacekeeping force of between 1,600 and 1,800 troops to Darfur to
speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid and counter the
repeated violations of the 8 April cease-fire agreement signed by
the Sudanese government and two rebel groups, the Sudan
Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement.

It was unclear when the AU force would arrive in the troubled
area near the eastern Chadian border.

Last Friday, the United Nations Security Council adopted a
resolution threatening sanctions against Sudan if the government
in Khartoum fails to disarm the marauding Arab Janjaweed militia
in Darfur region and prosecute its leaders.

The council gave UN secretary general Kofi Annan 30 days to
report to it, and monthly thereafter, on Sudan’s compliance with
the demands.

The UN has described the situation in Darfur as the world’s worst
humanitarian crisis.

Up to 30,000 people have been killed since the conflict erupted
between the two rebel groups formed by black ethnic groups in the
region, and the government and the Arab militia 17 months ago.
More than 1 million internally displaced.

The armed conflict has forced another 150,000 people to flee to
neighbouring Chad.