Sudanese govt opposes NATO military backup in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Apr 27, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudanese government has reiterated its opposition to the presence of any forces other than those from the AU in monitoring the cease-fire in Darfur, pointing out that the AU had not asked for any NATO military backup in the region to monitor the cease fire.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mustafa Osman Ismail said the government had no objection to any logistic or technical assistance to the AU forces, however, he said: “The AU has not asked for any forces other than those from the AU and we will not accept the presence of any troops from either NATO or any other country outside the AU.”

NATO allies agreed Wednesday to consider offering logistical help to the African Union’s peacekeeping force in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.

The agreement followed a written request from AU Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare, said NATO spokesman James Appathurai.