Germany sends Sudan force, urges others to do same

BERLIN, April 22 (Reuters) – Germany’s parliament approved the deployment of military observers to southern Sudan on Friday and Defence Minister Peter Struck challenged other Western nations to make similar commitments.

“We are contributing 50 to 75 military observers, the largest contingent of any European country,” Struck told parliament before the legislature voted overwhelming in favour of sending German troops.

“Other nations on both sides of the Atlantic are not contributing anything. They should declare their willingness to help as we have. This country has deserved it,” he said.

Germany will send up to 75 unarmed military observers to southern Sudan to oversee the peace treaty signed between Sudan and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.

Approved for an initial six months at a cost of 1.3 million euros ($1.70 million), the German mission could last up to 6 1/2 years.

The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), with about 10,000 troops, will monitor the deal ending Africa’s longest civil war, a two-decade conflict that killed 2 million people.

“The international community must take the chance presented by this peace treaty. I appeal to many other European nations to contribute more to UNMIS than planned to date,” Struck said.

Struck also urged African countries to strengthen their commitment to peacekeeping efforts for the separate Darfur crisis in the west of Sudan. Tens of thousands of people have died in the two-year old rebellion.

“The situation in Darfur is cause for concern… We appeal to all African nations to reach the goal of stationing over 3,000 troops in the area,” Struck said.

“We cannot look away as people are pursued and murdered in