Namibia praises Sudan’s efforts to restore peace in Darfur

By Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK, Namibia, Aug 18, 2004 (NAMPA) — The Namibian government has welcomed recent measures taken by the Sudanese government to meet the UN Security Council timetable to improve the dire situation in the [western] Darfur region.

A media release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday [18 August] stated that the Namibian government stood ready to assist in any way possible, the UN and the AU to ensure that the Janjawid militias are apprehended and that lasting peace and security is restored in Darfur and indeed the whole of Sudan.

“The Namibian government as a member of the AU, is very worried about the 1.2m people that have been displaced by the Janjawid militia as well as the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded,” the statement said.

The Namibian government further said that it is disturbed by reports of sexual abuse and exploitation committed against internally displaced persons as well as the increase of Janjaweed militias in the west Darfur region. “Fearing an escalation in the humanitarian catastrophe, the Namibian government is therefore pleased that Sudan has adhered to the Security Council’s resolution and has unveiled steps and a timetable for action in Darfur,” the statement further noted.

The Namibian government has also implored Sudan to adhere to its own time table and action plan to ensure that all militias are disarmed and that all displaced Sudanese people are returned to their respective homes within the stipulated time-frame.