Sudan FM urges AU to fulfill commitment on Darfur

KHARTOUM, Nov 30, 2004 (Xinhua) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail on Tuesday called on the African Union to fulfill its commitment to Sudan’s western region of Darfur.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller and Defense Minister Soeren Gade, Ismail said, “The African Union has not fulfilled its commitment toward Darfur, particularly the expansion of forces it promised and fulfilling assignments.”

He stressed the importance of reaching the number of these forces so as to help them carry out their mission, while praising Denmark’s efforts to support Sudan, especially Darfur and Nuba Mountain states in southern Sudan.

“The Sudanese government is ready to cooperate with all sides concerned to discuss the Darfur peace process,” he said, adding that the government will honor all its commitment to Darfur, including disarming militias and realizing security in displaced camps.

For his part, Moeller called on the Sudanese government to exert more efforts to solve the Darfur issue, and said that his delegation would visit Darfur to see the situation on the ground.

The Danish delegation arrived here on Monday for an official visit to Sudan.