Sudan against deployment of AU peacekeepers

BEIJING, Aug 16, 2004 (Xinhuanet) — A senior Sudanese military official says his country is against the deployment of African Union peacekeeping troops in its territory.Sudan also announced it starts to implement the “Darfur Action Plan” .

General Mohamed Beshir Suleiman says the team of observers sent by the AU is to supervise the cease-fire agreement between Sudan’s government and the rebels, reported China Radio International.

He reiterates the 300-strong AU troops are only responsible for the observers’ safety, saying Sudan is against the soldiers playing a peacekeeping role.

In another development, Sudanese government announced that it starts to implement the “Darfur Action Plan” on Sunday.