Sudanese rights groups want UN, AU troops

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6, 2004 (PANA) — Sudanese civil rights groups Monday called for the deployment of United Nations and African Union peacekeeping troops to ensure stability in the south and west of the country.

The rights groups under the umbrella body New Sudanese Indigenous Non-Governmental Organisations (NESI) have also demanded the immediate disarmament of the Janjaweed militia, blamed for the atrocities in the western Darfur region.

In a statement issued here Monday, the groups claimed there were recent killing, looting and abductions in the hitherto calm
southern region, home to the largest rebel group, Sudan Peoples Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M).

NESI Coordinator Susan Jambo said the groups based in the South, West and New Sudan regions were “aggrieved by the government’s
continued waging of war” against the civilian population in
contravention of attempts to reach a compromise with the rebel
SPLA/M.

The two parties, which were involved in peace talks in Naivasha,
Kenya, have signed six protocols covering a permanent ceasefire
between the rebels and the Khartoum government, power and wealth
sharing and security issues, among others.

But gains in the SPLA/M and Khartoum peace moves seemed to have
been overshadowed by the recent upsurge of fighting in western
Darfur that has uprooted over 1.5 million people from their
homes.

The African Union, which is spearheading peace talks in Abuja,
Nigeria aimed at striking a political solution on the Darfur
crisis, has announced plans to deploy 3,000 troops to keep the
peace in the country.

Sudan has remained adamant in its rejection of foreign troops,
backing down later to say it might consider granting permission
for only troops from selected African countries.

Currently, there are 300 AU troops in Darfur to provide security
for 80 AU observers monitoring the ceasefire in the region.