Sudan welcomes Indian role in UN mission
Khartoum, Feb 2, 2005 (IANS) – Sudan will welcome India’s participation in the UN peace mission to the country for the implementation of the Jan 9 peace accord that ended over two decades of civil war, a senior minister has said.
“If you have to bring in someone to keep peace here, you have to bring in someone who understands the traditions and customs here,” Energy and Mining Minister Awad Ahmed Al-Jazz told a visiting IANS correspondent.
The UN-brokered accord between the government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) ended a bloody conflict that has claimed more than two million lives and displaced millions more.
“We have a very intimate relationship with India. We don’t feel any problem if India is ready to partner with us in the peace era,” said Al-Jazz.
Though the accord does not cover the troubled western Darfur region, it seems to be making a difference in the rest of the country.
Al-Jazz described reports of genocide in Darfur as “propaganda” by the Western media. “Life is almost normal there, with no fighting,” he claimed.
Indian Ambassador to Sudan Ashok Kumar said New Delhi had agreed in principle to send a peace mission to the country under the UN to monitor the implementation of the peace agreement.
He said up to 10,000 Indian peace troopers were likely to be involved in the mission, though the numbers were yet to be finalised. A 25-member UN Advance Mission, including Indian officials, is already here to help in the peace process.
Col. Vikram Taneja of the Indian Army, a member of the team, said the UN Security Council is expected to finalise the details of the mission shortly.
“The Sudanese government is not opposed to Indian presence here,” he said.
But officials and the Sudanese people are keeping their fingers crossed.
“I am optimistic but it is going to be a long haul,” said a senior official.
Mamoun Gamal, managing director of Citypharm Pharmaceutical Industry in north Khartoum, echoed the sentiments. “Implementation of the peace accord would face challenges as often happens and there is going to be differences on interpretation of the accord,” he said.