/ 12 October 2006

SA urges Sudan to accept UN force in Darfur

The Sudanese government must be convinced to accept the deployment of a United Nations force in its war-torn western region of Darfur, South Africa said on Thursday.

”All efforts must continue to be made to try to convince the government of Sudan that it is in the interests of everybody that we blue-hat the African Union forces,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad told reporters in Cape Town.

”A major contingent can be Africa, but without it becoming a UN force we believe that the necessary support and even the technological assistance will not be forthcoming.”

Pahad said few countries would be willing to commit troops to a UN force that did not have the Sudanese government’s consent, ”because that would mean, as some groups had warned, that they will then declare war against the UN forces that are there”.

Pahad said South Africa welcomed Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir’s acceptance of a recent deployment of UN support and logistical staff under the auspices of the current AU force.

”It is a good step in the right direction.”

The presidents of Gabon, Nigeria and Senegal are to meet al-Beshir next Tuesday to try and convince him to convert the AU force into a UN one.

”We hope the four presidents’ meeting will be able to address some of the concerns of the Sudanese government with the UN force.

”We must continue consultations to see if we can deal with those concerns.”

Pahad expressed grave concern about the continuing ”carnage” in Darfur, which the UN has blamed on the government and rebel forces alike.

The UN charter does not allow the international body to deploy forces without the consent of the government concerned unless the conflict was termed a genocide.

The UN this week urged Sudan’s allies in Asia, Africa and the Arab world to join a peacekeeping force it was planning for Darfur.

At least 200 000 people have died from fighting, famine and disease, and more than two million have fled their homes in Darfur since fighting began between local rebels and pro-government militia in February 2003.

The cash-strapped AU has a force on the ground, which includes a contingent of several hundred South African troops. The force is hampered by a limited mandate and shortages of troops, transportation and money.

Sudan has refused repeated calls to transfer the mission to the UN. — Sapa-AFP