Important African Union Statement on Security in Darfur

More bad news for Khartoum. This Associated Press report Oct 1 2005 rightly points out, it is rare for the African Union to directly apportion blame for the fighting in Darfur:

The chief African Union envoy to Sudan, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, told a press conference in Khartoum Oct 1 2005:

"Government forces have painted their military vehicles in the white colors of the African Union cease-fire monitors "in violation of all established norms and conventions."

Kingibe gave four instances of Sudanese army troops conducting what he called "coordinated offensive operations" with the Janjaweed Arab militia since Sep 18 2005 in Darfur.

Please read full report.



Photo: Rwandan soldier stands beside an African Union vehicle at Abu Shouk camp in Darfur, western Sudan. (AFP)

Note, the AU will convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday Oct 3 a meeting of its Peace and Security Council to discuss the recent developments and consider appropriate action, Kingibe said.



Photo: Baba Gana Kingibe (R), African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) chief, speaks to reporters in Khartoum, next to an African Union representative. (AFP/Salah Omar/Yahoo)

It will be interesting to see if Khartoum gets out of this [so far, their silence is deafening] and watch how African politicians, and Libya and Egypt, respond to the AU report.

Maybe the report will give the UN Security Council some leverage with China and Russia who have consistently blocked international action. A report by China's Xinhua Sep 27 2005 states:

"UN Security Council passed a resolution in July 2004, asking Sudan to rein in Janjawid militias in 30 days or face international action. The resolution has been dismissed by the Khartoum government."

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AU Press Statement on Security Situation in Darfur

Click here to read the African Union's Oct 1 2005 Press Statement on the deteriorating security situation in Darfur. [Courtesy Sudan Tribune]

Tags: Darfur Sudan Africa African Union UN China Russia Egypt Libya Khartoum