AU military chief cautions against flop in Sudan

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Jan 19, 2005 (PANA) — A senior military official of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) has warned that it would be a tragedy for the mission to flop due to lack of facilities.

A Rwandan soldier belonging to the AU Force patrols a section of the Abu Shouk camp for displaced people on the outskirts of El-Fasher, Sudan. (AFP).

Deputy Force Commander and Chief Military Observer Brigadier General Jean Bosco Kazura made the remark during a familiarisation tour of Zalingel, a new military sector that is under construction in the restive Darfur region.

General Kazura observed that for the mission’s peace efforts to succeed, it was imperative that requirements of Zalingel and other sectors were met.

A contingent of 162 Gambian troops was recently deployed to Zalingel.

Kazura, who assumed duties with AMIS last month, stressed that the welfare of officers and soldiers serving under AMIS would always be given top priority, according to a press statement issued Tuesday by the AU headquarters here.