Germany to provide transport flights for African Union’s Sudan mission

BERLIN, Nov 17, 2004 (AP) — Germany will provide air transport support for an African Union mission being deployed to the troubled Darfur region of Sudan, the government said Wednesday.

Nigerian troops head to a U.S. C-130 for transport into the Darfur region of Sudan in Abuga, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2004. The C-130s will continue to airlift additional forces into the region over the next two weeks.

The Cabinet approved a plan to commit up to 200 German troops to the mission, which would see African peacekeepers transported in German planes. The mandate, which would be valid for six months, requires parliament’s approval in a vote expected Nov. 26.

The United States, Britain and the Netherlands already helped transport members of the 4,000-strong AU force, the government said in a statement.

Sudan’s Arab-dominated government and pro-government Arab tribal fighters, known as the Janjaweed, are accused of launching coordinated attacks on non-Arab farmers after two non-Arab rebel groups rose up in February 2003. Sudan denies targeting civilians or allying with the Janjaweed militia.

The United Nations says the Darfur conflict has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with at least 70,000 people dead since March in the region because of disease, hunger and hardships from being uprooted. Many more have been killed in fighting since the conflict started, but no firm estimate exists.