Nigerian troops postpone departure for Darfur

ABUJA, Nigeria, Aug 26, 2004 (PANA) — The 155 Nigerian troops to serve as part
of a 300-strong African Union (AU) protection force in Sudan’s
troubled Darfur region will now leave on Friday after logistic
problems scuttled their departure earlier billed for Thursday,
Nigerian military officials said.

The contingent assembled in Abuja after the conclusion of medical
tests and other routines.

Officials said the delay would not affect their assignment as
they are actually billed to be on duty in Darfur from 30 August.

The Nigerians will join 150 Rwandan troops already on the ground
in Darfur to protect some 80 AU observers monitoring ceasefire
between government and rebel forces there.

The US Thursday called for an expanded African force to help
protect more than a million people displaced by the crisis,
failing which it said it would push for sanctions against
Khartoum.

The AU had proposed a force of 2,000 troops for Darfur, but the
Sudanese government said it would only allow extra troops in the
area if they would disarm the rebels.