UN report calls for quick increase in international force in Sudan’s Darfur

By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 01, 2004 (AP) — A U.N. report on Wednesday called for a quick increase in the international monitoring force in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, saying the government has not stopped attacks against civilians or disarmed marauding militias.

The report to the U.N. Security Council by Secretary-General Kofi Annan cites “some progress” by the government and does not mention or recommend sanctions.

But it makes clear that much more needs to be done as soon as possible to provide security for the more than 1.2 million “terrorized and traumatized” Sudanese who have fled their homes in the western desert region to escape the violence.

On July 30, the council gave the government 30 days to demonstrate that it was taking action to curb Arab militias accused of attacking, raping and killing thousands of black villagers in Darfur, and improve security and humanitarian access. It threatened punitive economic and diplomatic measures if Khartoum didn’t move quickly.

Annan told the council that 30 days later, after 18 months of conflict, “the government of Sudan has not been able to resolve the crisis in Darfur, and has not met some of the core commitments it has made.”

“Attacks against civilians are continuing and the vast majority of armed militias has not been disarmed,” the report said.

Annan sent the report to the Security Council ahead of Thursday’s briefing to its 15 members by his top envoy to Sudan, Jan Pronk, whose observations form the basis of its conclusions and recommendations.

The Darfur crisis ensued after two African rebel factions took up arms in February 2003 claiming discrimination by the Arab-dominated government in the capital Khartoum.

Human rights groups, the U.S. Congress and U.N. officials accuse Sudan’s government of trying to crush the rebellion by backing Arab militiamen in a scorched earth campaign. Khartoum has repeatedly denied backing the militiamen, known as the Janjaweed.

The report focused on the need to restore security and begin the process of reconciliation so the displaced people in Darfur, and those who fled across the border to Chad, can “fulfill their greatest desire: to return to their homes in peace.”

At the moment, Annan said the Sudanese who have fled their homes “have lost confidence in the authorities” and there is an “increasing level of animosity between different communities and tribes within Darfur.” This “has gone hand in hand with a breakdown of traditional mechanisms to resolve differences,” he said.

To help provide security, Annan said, “I believe that a substantially increased international presence in Darfur is required as quickly as possible.”

The 53-nation African Union currently has 80 observers in Darfur, protected by 150 Rwandan soldiers and 155 Nigerian soldiers, to monitor a rarely observed cease-fire signed in April. It has proposed sending nearly 2,000 peacekeepers, an offer strongly supported by the United States but initially rejected by the Sudanese government.

Annan’s report said a U.N. plan presented to the African Union provides a blueprint for an expanded international presence “which could help improve the situation in critical respects: decrease the level of violence, and enhance the protection of the civilian population, particularly those who have been displaced.”

A larger international presence could also monitor implementation of the parties’ commitments “more effectively,” including the cease-fire, it said.

“By providing the population with an increased sense of security and protection, a sizeable international presence would ease the level of tension and anger, and create space for the population of Darfur to start their own reconciliation process,” the report said.

It cited “some progress” by the government in improving security in several areas where Sudanese have taken refuge, the deployment of additional police and the beginning of disarmament and the lifting of restrictions to humanitarian relief. The report noted the government’s commitment not to force those who have fled to return, and establishment of human rights monitors and investigations of the conflict.

Annan said the government kept its promise to resume talks with the rebels on a political solution. He welcomed the agreement by the parties on an agenda for the talks and urged them to “redouble their efforts” with the assistance of African Union and international mediators to reach a settlement.