Bush sends envoy to Sudan to push for 2,000 UN troops in Darfur by Oct 1

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, announced Thursday that she will travel to Sudan on Friday.

The secretary said she would carry a letter from US President GW Bush stating the need for urgent action to halt the violence in Darfur. She said the goal would be to get the first few thousand troops on the ground by October 1. - VOA 24 Aug 2006.

UN Security Council to meet Monday on Darfur without Khartoum attendance

The UN Security Council will hold a meeting next week to discuss Darfur despite Khartoum's refusal to participate, the council president said Thursday.

The meeting on Monday will discuss further a draft resolution by the US and Britain to transfer the AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur to the UN, a move opposed by Khartoum.

Full report by DPA 24 Aug 2006 via M&C.

Sudan's leader postpones UN meeting on Darfur

Sudanese President Bashir on Wednesday declined an invitation to attend a UN Security Council next week to explain his plan to deploy more than 10,000 Sudanese troops to Darfur instead of a UN peacekeeping operation, DPA/M&C reported today - excerpt:

Al-Bashir said such a meeting was welcome to consolidate the peace process in Darfur.

But he added, 'In view of having a fruitful discussion of the council on the matter, with the effective participation of regional organizations strongly engaged in the situation in Darfur, we deem it appropriate to postpone the meeting to enable better preparations.'

There was no immediate response from Effah-Apenteng as the council had no formal meeting on Wednesday. The three organizations invited [the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference and African Union] did not respond.

Sudan rejects draft UN Security Council resolution on Darfur

Sudan's ruling party has rejected a US-UK draft Security Council resolution to deploy UN peacekeepers in Darfur, saying it would violate national sovereignty, the official media reported Thursday: Aug 24 2006 AP report via Sudan Tribune Sudan rejects draft UN Security Council resolution on Darfur - excerpt:

According to Radio Omdurman and the SUNA news agency, the draft was discussed by the National Congress Party's ruling council and a parliamentary group chaired by President Omar al-Bashir at a meeting Wednesday night.

"The draft resolution is worse than the previous ones because it constitutes an attempt to impose complete guardianship on the Sudan," lawmaker Ghazi Salah Eldin Atabani said after the meeting.

"It did not pay any consideration to the bodies set up for implementation of the Darfur peace agreement and was not presented to the Sudanese authorities."

He said any council member who supported the draft would be considered an enemy of Sudan.

Photo: Members of the Sudanese Popular Defence Forces, hold knifes and guns while another carries a banner with Arabic writing reading 'Death to America' during a demonstration, in Kartoum, Sudan, Mar 8, 2006. (AP)

Aug 24 2006 Sapa/AFP report by Mohammed Ali Saeed in Khartoum via Mail & Guardian: Sudan reiterates rejection of UN peacekeepers

"The draft resolution is worse than previous ones as it is an attempt to impose complete tutelage on the Sudan," National Congress Party chairperson Ghazi Salah Eldin Atabani was quoted as saying after a meeting on Wednesday.

"Any state that sponsors this draft resolution will be regarded as assuming a hostile attitude against the Sudan," said the official, describing the draft as "unacceptable and not negotiable under any sort of pressure".

UPDATE: Aug 24 2006 IRIN via ReliefWeb: Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir has called on the United Nations Security Council to "be patient" in resolving the conflict in Darfur and indicated, in a letter to the Council President earlier this week, that the UK-US draft resolution for a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur was unacceptable to Khartoum.

"We request the Security Council to be patient and not to be in a hurry to adopt a new resolution on the matter, and to allow the government of the Sudan sufficient time to resolve the situation in Darfur," according to the August 21 letter to Council President, Ghanian Ambassador Nana Effah-Apentang.

Sudan's leader asks UNSC to delay UN force to give him time to bring peace to Darfur

My take on the following excerpt from today's AP report by Edith Lederer is that Sudanese President Bashir has explained in writing to the UN Security Council that Sudan's six-month plan for Darfur is to implement the Darfur Peace Agreement calling for GoS/AU/UN to "return security and humanitarian situation in Darfur to normal", that he wants to be given time to succeed in this within six months, and urges the Council to delay transferring peacekeeping duties to a UN force because such a force would lead to violence and UNMANAGEABLE CONFRONTATIONS among all parties in Darfur, including the UN forces. Also, I take the President's letter to mean Sudan won't be explaining its plan further to an open UN Security Council next week. Ball appears now to be in Arab League court. Everyone has to pull together to fund the AU in Darfur for 6 months from Sep 30 and ensure it receives the right equipment asap.

Excerpt from AP report Aug 23, 2006 (via Forbes.com):

Sudan's president asked the UN Security Council to give him time to bring peace to conflict-wracked Darfur and urged it to delay action on transferring peacekeeping duties to a UN force, according to a letter circulated Wednesday.

Omar al-Bashir said there was strong opposition from residents and leaders in Darfur to the UN force and warned that deployment would lead "to acts of violence and unmanageable confrontations among all parties in Darfur, including the United Nations forces."

Al-Bashir's letter seeking more time to restore peace appeared to be a response to an invitation from the current Security Council president to the Sudanese government and other key players in Darfur to a meeting Monday to discuss the draft resolution.

The Security Council was scheduled to meet Thursday morning to discuss Al-Bashir's letter.

In the letter, Al-Bashir said he wants to concentrate on implementing the peace agreement under a six-month plan he already submitted to Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He said it calls for the government, in cooperation with the African Union and U.N. agencies, to "return the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur to normal."

Floods kill 27, damage 10,000 houses in Sudan - AU soldiers battle sand, rain, mud

The Blue and White Nile rivers, which meet in Khartoum, are threatening government ministries and the Republican Palace as the water in the capital rose to less than a metre below Nile street, home to the government's main buildings, Reuters' Opheera McDoom reported today:

Tens of thousands of square kilometres of farmland, in a country where most people depend on agriculture as a way of life, have been engulfed by the water.

A boy washes rickshaw



Aug 22, 2006: A boy washes a rickshaw in the overflowing Nile river in Omdurman, near Khartoum Aug 22, 2006. (Reuters/Candace Feit)

Rain storm



Aug 22, 2006: Yesterday morning we had a very large rain storm that lasted about ten to twenty minutes. (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

Alotta water



Aug 22, 2006: As you can see from this photo a lot of water flowed off in a very short time. For some reason water in Darfur stays on the surface for hours and does not sink into the earth like in South Africa. (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

Well stuck



Aug 20, 2006: This APC deviated just slightly from the road and this was the result. These vehicles are armoured so they weigh many tonnes. Not only do they sink away easily, but if we are not careful we may damage certain areas of road like drifts and cause major problems for the local population. Under the surface of a drift an APC may leave very deep furrows, which can trap the vehicles of the local population passing through. (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

Stuck in the mud



Aug 15, 2006: Being stuck in the sand has just changed to being stuck in the mud. George, one of the EU reps, from Slovakia managed to drive into this wadi. I pulled him out with my vehicle. The guy in white is our interpreter. He used to be the headmaster of one of the local schools. (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

Mud



Aug 15, 2006: Another photo to show where George got stuck. The harder road was about ten metres further to the left, where we crossed. (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

Green day



Aug 15, 2006: Hard to imagine that less than two months ago this was all just sand, now it is green. We were on our way to Ushara Hadahid, a very small village for a confidence building patrol this morning. (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

Start of a Sandstorm



Aug 14, 2006: Yesterday afternoon we had another sandstorm and as usual afterwards a lot of rain. This photo does not do it justice. The wind was so strong I held onto the hardboard door in my tent lest it be blown off. (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

Inaugural meeting of Sector 3 Cease Fire Commission (CFC)



Aug 15, 2006: Yesterday afternoon we had the inaugural meeting of the new Sector 3 Cease Fire Commission (CFC). Hopefully we will have success as they monitor the implementation of the DPA (Darfur Peace Agreement). (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

New MILOB in Darfur



Aug 23, 2006: Capt Modipa is a new MILOB [military observer] from Pretoria. He arrived here yesterday. Good luck with your deployment. Poor guy. (Soldier of Africa in Darfur, W Sudan)

Detention of Sudanese journalists in Khartoum and Marawi

SOAT Human Rights Alert: 23 August 2006 - excerpt:

On 16 August 2006 at 02:30am, approximately twenty police officers arrested Naser Eldien Ahmed Altayeb, (26 yrs), journalist working for the Arabic daily, Alayam newspaper. Following his arrest, Mr. Naser Eldien was taken to a nearby police vehicle. Inside the car, Mr. Naser Eldien was beaten with sticks by two of the arresting officers.

Mr. Naser Eldien was arrested whilst reporting on the forced relocation of residents at Dar al Salaam, situated 20 miles South of Khartoum in Algazera province following a Court Order to evict the residents. The residents of Dar al Salaam, mainly IDPs from Southern Sudan and Darfur have resided in the area for over two decades and have refused to move pending a suitable alternative, which they were negotiating with the government. The land in Dar al Salaam has been sold to an Egyptian businessperson who planned to develop the land as a Theme Park.

In a separate incident, on 15 August 2006, at 02:00am, four journalists were detained and prevented from entering Amri, Marawi, Northern Sudan. The journalists had travelled to Marawi to report on the plight of thousands of people made homeless following flood caused by heavy rains on 10 August 2006, which destroyed all the homes constructed by the government to house the displaced population in the region. The details of the journalists are as follows:

1. Mougahed Abdalla; Ray Alshab Daily Newspaper

2. Aboulgasiem Farahna; Alowan Daily Newspaper

3. Moutaz Mahjoob; Al Adwaa Daily Newspaper

4. Mouheb Maher; Al Sudani Daily newspaper

Kalma Camp, S Darfur: Resuming AU firewood patrols is vital

More than 200 women have been sexually assaulted in the last five weeks alone around Darfur's largest displaced camp, Kalma, IRC reported today via Reuters. Excerpt:

The situation is so dire that about 300 women convened a meeting in Kalma on Aug 7 to plead for more help from the outside world -- particularly from African Union troops mandated to protect civilians.

"This is a massive spike in figures. We are used to hearing of 2 to 4 incidents of sexual assault per month in Kalma camp," said Kurt Tjossem of the International Rescue Committee, which collected the figures.

Note the report points out that resuming regular African Union firewood patrols is vital to the women's immediate security needs.



"We are not in safety where is the international forces" photo released by the United Nations shows refugees at the Kalma Camp in south Darfur, in 2005. (AFP/UN-HO/Aug 17, 2006/Evan Schneider)

JEM leaders detained by Chad for handover to AU?

Yesterday, I noted here that the leader of the JEM was in Paris, France. Now, a Reuters report says Chad's Foreign Minister told Reuters today, the leaders of JEM, which did not sign the DPA, have been detained by Chad and would be handed over to the AU.

One could take this to mean Ibrahim is now barred from entering Chad. Why he is not behind bars is beyond me.

NRF press release says it is the main rebel group in Darfur

National Redemption Front (NRF) says it does not constitute a minority in Darfur while forces of Minni Minnawi, the newly appointed Senior Assistant to President Albashir enjoys a dominant position in the region.

See NRF Press Release signed by Dr Abdullahi Osman El-Tom for JEM/NRF 20 August 2006 (via Sudan Tribune).

Voluntary disarmament succeeds in Jonglei, S Sudan

More than 1,200 rusted Kalashnikovs and machine guns were laid out on a football pitch in Akobo, southeast Sudan on Monday, raising hopes that clashes that killed hundreds of people earlier this year will end, Sudan Tribune reported 21 Aug 2006.



Photo: A UN peacekeeper takes pictures during the first peaceful civilian disarmament in Akobo, Jonglei state, August 21, 2006. (Reuters) Via Sudan Man blog entry - excerpt:

Young men eyed the 1,300 guns laid out in a field in the southern Sudanese town of Akobo. The rifles would once have been worth a fortune to these members of the Lou Nuer, who typically used weapons to defend themselves or to raid neighbouring villages.

Arms were once considered integral to life in this region. But in July, more than 1,000 men and boys in Akobo County relinquished their weapons to local authorities, asking nothing in return. See full report.

Proponent of AU peacekeepers

Rob's blog entry at Sudan Man re Darfur Peace Keeping Force says:

"I'm a proponent of keeping the AU forces in control, and ensuring that there is adequate funding to expand and equip them. Even then there needs to be seriousness on the part of the rebel movements and the government to broker a peace agreement on the lines of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement now implemented in Southern Sudan. Without that the chances of any peacekeeping force - UN or AU - being able to protect the IDP's."

Sudan invited to brief UN Security Council on Darfur

Reuters' Irwin Arieff report 23 Aug 2006 - excerpt:

Arab League UN Observer Yahya Mahmassani said he had pressed [UN Security Council President] Effah-Apenteng to hold the planned council meeting [scheduled for next Monday] behind closed doors, so that participants could speak frankly.

"An open meeting is very bad. If they want to do something, let's have a closed meeting (or) everyone speaks to the media, to the street," he said.

The goal of such a meeting should be to convince Khartoum to accept a UN force, he said. "If you can, give them some guarantees, give them some explanation, don't give them a diktat," he said.

One wonders what he means by "guarantees". For a UN force not to arrest any of the 51 people on UN/ICC list of suspected Darfur war criminals?

NRF/JEM's 'peace lover' Ibrahim in Paris calls for a large front, says Sudan unity best choice

Khalil Ibrahim, leader of JEM rebel group opposed to the Darfur Peace Agreement called upon Sudanese political forces to form a large front for the marginalised region in the country, affirming that the safeguard of the Sudanese unity still best option, Sudan Tribune reported 21 Aug 2006. Excerpt:

Ibrahim, invited all the political forces form the different Sudanese regions to constitute a large front to defeat the ruling National Congress Party in the future elections.

Khalil, who was speaking Sunday in a political meeting with Sudanese community in Paris, said all the political regional forces have to unify their efforts to break the domination of northern forces represented today by the National Congress Party. He added that marginalized northern Sudanese have also to join us.

He further said the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) should join us with the Eastern Sudan Front, the Nouba Mountains and any marginalized people in the country. He underscored that the objective of this front is to realize a just repartition of wealth and to assure political representation of all regions in the central government.

The JEM leader insisted that the unity of the Sudan is the best solution for the benefit of all the Sudanese. He added that some southern Sudanese think they have oil and they can choose the independence. "Actually oil is everywhere in the Sudan, and all of us have great benefit to establish a big internal market, because great states are countries that have big internal market. So, we have no interest to establish a small state".

Last June during a visit to Slovenia, the JEM leader said "Now as the next step that means that we will ask for self-determination - we're going to have our own country".

In Paris, Khalil told the young Darurians refugees that Darfur people have no interest to plaid for such orientation.

JEM AND NRF CONTROL DARFUR MILITARILY

On the political situation in Darfur, Khalil said "we peace lovers" and we want to negotiate peaceful settlement with the Sudanese government. Now three months after the signing of the peace deal, international community understands better why we are opposed to the DPA.

The JEM leader said that the demand of one Darfur region and the fair compensations for the refugees and IDPs are the main points in the regional level.

He said that JEM and its allies in the NRF are now the first military force and the Sudanese army can't defeat them militarily.

He announced that the first NRF conference will be held in Darfur at the end of the current month to adopt the structures of the movement.

On 30 June, the Sudan Liberation Movement of Khamis Abdalla Abakr; Justice & Equality Movement of Khalil Ibrahim and the Sudan Federal Democratic Alliance of Ahmed Ibrahim Diraig and Sharif Harir founded from Asmara the NRF. Since, most of Minni Minawi troops rejoined the newly formed group.

Darfur rebels JEM/NRMD attack Sudan gov't soldiers in Goz Mino, W Darfur killing 3, injuring 2

"On 18 August a SAF camp has been attacked in Goz Mino by rebel group believed to be JEM and NRMD*, killing one officer, two soldiers and injuring other two. The situation in Jabel Moon remains tense. The SAF is preparing to clear the rebel from the area", UN Country Team in Sudan reported 21 Aug 2006 via ReliefWeb. Note further excerpts and mention of green uniforms:

South Darfur Security:

On 17 August a commercial truck loaded with goods and passengers from Graida to Salamala village was attacked by some armed men dressed in green uniform. A man was shot dead while four others sustained injuries. Goods worth several thousands of dinars were looted by the attackers.

West Darfur Security:

On 19 August it was reported that a group of Chadian army ran away from their barrack and entered Sudan. A group from the Chadian army who pursued to capture the deserter soldiers met with SAF and clashed on the border near Kulbus. No information of casualties or killed has been reported. After a brief exchange of fire, the Chadian army went back to the Chadian side.

[*Could this be NRF? - see links here below]
- - -

NMRD and NRF

Darfur rebels broke away from the JEM group and called themselves the National Movement for Reform and Development (NMRD).

Excerpt from The Sudanese Thinker 15 Aug 2006 - Darfur Rebels: Who's Who?:

National Redemption Front (NRF): The recently formed NRF is a coalition of rebels opposed to the peace deal, including JEM, former commanders from both SLA factions (al-Nur has disassociated himself from the group) and the Sudan Federal Democratic Alliance.

The Sudan Tribune's website has a copy of NRF's founding declaration, including its objectives. It calls for "a just system of sharing wealth and power between the various regions of Sudan", "regional self rule" and "fair participation" in national politics.

The NRF now holds sway in much of north Darfur. It has reportedly been involved in offensive actions, such as an attack on a town in North Kordofan and a military base belonging to Minnawi's faction in Sayah. This week it said it had shot down a Sudanese government bomber, but the government denied the report.

JEM/NRF CONTROL DARFUR MILITARILY?

Sudan Tribune report 21 Aug 2006 claims JEM & NRF control Darfur militarily. Excerpt:

On 30 June, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) of Khamis Abdalla Abakr; Justice & Equality Movement (JEM) of Khalil Ibrahim and the Sudan Federal Democratic Alliance (SFDA) of Ahmed Ibrahim Diraig and Sharif Harir founded from Asmara the National Redemption Fron (NRF). Since, most of Minni Minawi troops rejoined the newly formed group.

I wonder how and why Ibrahim gains entry to France and Sudan whenever he pleases. Immigration rules seem bent in favour of criminals.

U.S. says UN deployment in Darfur should be immediate

The State Department called Tuesday for deployment of a U.N. force in Darfur without delay.

"Only a large, mobile, fast-reacting and robust U.N. peacekeeping force is capable of confronting the multiple, complex challenges that currently exist in Darfur," State Department press officer Curtis Cooper said. - AP Aug 22, 2006 via ST.

U.S. opposes Sudan plan to send troops to Darfur

The United States on Tuesday strongly criticized Sudan's plan to send more of its own troops into Darfur and said a "credible and legitimate" U.N. force was needed to stop the carnage, Reuters reported Aug 22, 2006 (via ST). Excerpt:

State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said the United States was very concerned about the plan and urged Sudan's government to allow a U.N. force into Darfur without delay to stop what the United States say is genocide.

"Only a large, mobile, fast-reacting and robust (U.N.) force is capable of confronting the military challenges that exist in Darfur," Gallegos told Reuters.

"This credible and legitimate U.N. force, with African forces forming its core, should include Africans in key leadership positions," he said.

Gallegos said the goal of a U.N. force would be to help those displaced by the conflict and to stop increasing attacks on humanitarian workers as well as get life-saving humanitarian aid to those who needed it most.

"The Sudanese government must do its part to enable this transition to move forward immediately," he said.

Why don't the Government of Sudan order its forces (if as it says it has control over its forces) to act as if it has the mandate of African Union peacekeepers in Darfur?

AMZAR Trading & Services Ltd., in Khartoum provides disgusting $3,60 meals to African soldiers in Sudan's Darfur

Here below is a photo from Soldier of Africa showing what AMZAR food services and catering company in Khartoum feed to young fit African soldiers in Darfur. Disgusting.

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen this photo with my own eyes. Werner says the beans had sand in them and no bread was provided. Why no bread?

The AU mission in Darfur costs $17m per month. You'd think it could take better care of its troops and employ cooks to at least bake fresh bread. In war zones, mealtimes are the highlight of any soldiers day and can be a morale booster. Here's what Werner wrote to accompany the photo:

My $3,60 Meal



"This is what we had to eat today. I could not eat the beans because it had too much sand in. Guess who is hungry. AMZAR, the company who is supposed to cater for us regularly surprises with little food, terrible quality meat with more bones than the actual meat and no bread. The Sudanese people are eating better than us, which is actually good, but AMZAR gets millions of dollars to give us reasonable standard food and as you can see it is not happening. At least the potato salad was very good, but for seconds I would have had to give another meal coupon, which would have cost me another $3,60."

AMZAR Trading & Services Ltd., Khartoum



Photo: AMZAR's Khartoum Office. Blurb from its website:

AMZAR Trading and Services Ltd., was established in 1988 by its two founders and sole shareholders, Mr Amin Ahmed Hassab El Rasoul and Mr Nazar El Sammani Yacoub.

The Company, (registration No. C/6427) was set up in order to meet the demand for
- a professional food services and catering company in the Sudan to operate at the highest levels in terms of professionalism, customer service and food hygiene
- a trading services company that could source and supply both locally and for export a wide range of Sudanese produce of consistently high quality at competitive prices.

Amzar Trading & Services Ltd. PO Box 2506 Khartoum, Sudan. Tel: (+249 1) 83 472508 Fax:(+249 1) 83 474990

Amzar contact details says "if you have any query, require further information or wish to use our services, please get in touch with us and we will be delighted to help you." I might send them a link to this post and ask them if they think the meal in the photo is fit for young soldiers on active service in a war zone.

Wear a blue (or green!) hat on September 17th

Following on from previous Sudan Watch entry - Activists' Global Day for Darfur campaign Sep 17 calls for world leaders to push for UN force in Darfur - here is a copy of a blog entry by Abbas at 3quarksdaily.

Wear a blue hat on September 17th

Despite the signing of a Darfur peace agreement on 5 May 2006, the violence in western Sudan has not stopped; in fact, in some parts of Darfur, the violence has grown worse.

People are still being killed and raped and displaced - every single day.

On September 17 people around the world will take part in the Global Day for Darfur to show world-wide support for the Darfuri people and to put pressure on our Governments to protect the civilians.

We hope that you will be able to join us on the Global Day for Darfur.

More here. [Thanks to Veronica V. Mittnacht.]

And more info available here.

Hey, those in favour of African Union peacekeepers ought to wear green AU hats in protest of the misguided activists wearing blue UN hats!



WHAT OTHER BLOGGERS ARE SAYING

Aug 22 2006 Pinko Feminist Hellcat: Global Day for Darfur

On May 5, a peace agreement was signed in the hopes that it would stop the bloodshed in Sudan. This has not happened yet.

September 17 is the Global Day for Darfur. The day will feature candle light vigils, rallies, exhibitions, and performances.

Go to the site and sign the petition to strenghten efforts to keep the peace and stop the genocide.

Activists' "Global Day for Darfur" campaign Sep 17 calls for world leaders to push for UN force in Darfur

Click onto the flags at Global Day for Darfur and see events taking place in those countries on Sep 17. Here's some of what you see when you click onto the UK flag at the site:

Sudanese Embassy Demonstration

What: Demonstration outside the Sudanese Embassy in London.
When: Sunday 17th September, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Organiser: David Brown, Aegis Trust, +00 44 (0)1623 836 627, and Ishag Mekki, Darfur Union.
Supported by: Aegis Trust, Darfur Union
Further information: www.aegistrust.org - Genocide Prevention Charity the Aegis Trust is organising a demonstration outside the Sudanese Embassy to protest against the continued opposition to UN deployment in Sudan. The people of Darfur desperately need a UN force that can bring peace and stability to this troubled region of Sudan. The Government of Sudan has so far blocked efforts to put a UN peace keeping mission on the ground. This must stop.

Day for Darfur UK Rally and Darfur Exhibition launch

What: Indoor Rally with political speaker and supporters
When: Sunday 17th September, 12:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Where: TBC
Organiser: Hratche Koundarjian, Aegis Trust, +44 207 735 3154 (for Rally) and David Brown, Aegis Trust, +00 44 (0)1623 836 627 (for exhibition).
Supported by:
Further information: www.aegistrust.org - Genocide Prevention Charity the Aegis Trust is organising a indoor rally at a central London location to include speakers from the world of politics, film and music. A preview of a new mobile exhibition on genocide and the responsibility to protect, with reference to Darfur as well as to past genocides including the Holocaust and Rwanda, will also be unveiled at the event. The event will aim raise the profile of the Darfur crisis and call on world leaders to push for a deployment of UN peacekeepers.

A Prayer for Darfur

What: Active Faith: A Prayer for Darfur
When: Sunday 17th September, Time TBC
Where: Gates of Downing Street, Whitehall, SW1A
Organiser: Christa Bennett, 0207 243 0300
Supported by: Waging Peace
Further information: www.wagingpeace.info - We welcome this opportunity to remind the Prime Minister of his moral obligation. We ask that:
- Britain push the UN to enforce its resolutions on Darfur and put genuine pressure on the government of Sudan;
- to strengthen the African Union force;
- and to provide a well-equipped UN peacekeeping force a mandate to protect civilians and disarm those who terrorise, rape, and kill them.

Sudan's plan for Darfur involves its own force, not the UN's

In her commentary in the New York Times Aug 22, 2006, Lydia Polgreen notes that Sudan's Darfur protection plan, delivered to the UN Aug 2, does not explicitly reject a UN force. Fellow blogger Ed posted a copy of the commentary before it slipped into NYT archive. Not sure if this is an excerpt or copy in full:

Sudan's Plan for Darfur Involves Its Own Force, Not the U.N.'s
By LYDIA POLGREEN KHARTOUM, Sudan, Aug. 21 2006

Sudan's government has proposed using more than 10,000 of its own troops to quell the violence in the troubled region of Darfur instead of the United Nations peacekeeping force that it has repeatedly refused.

The Sudanese plan was presented to the United Nations Security Council last week, but whether it is a serious blueprint or another tactic in the country's efforts to stall or thwart a United Nations peacekeeping force remains to be seen. Sudan's president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, has been engaged in an escalating war of words over the proposed United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur, declaring that Sudan would "defeat any forces entering the country just as Hezbollah has defeated the Israeli forces," according to the state-run news agency, Suna.

Under the plan, the Sudanese government would use the troops to "gain control of the security situation and achieve stability in Darfur" and to "deal with the threats posed by the activities of groups that have rejected the Darfur peace agreement," which was signed on May 5.

The plan does not explicitly reject a United Nations force, which the United States and others have advocated to secure the shaky peace agreement. But it makes clear that Sudan believes it should be responsible for stabilizing the worsening crisis in Darfur.