UN: A cautious welcome has been given by governments and human rights organisations to the African Union (AU) decision to extend the mission of its 7,200-strong monitoring force in the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur. According to statistics compiled by the UN, at least 200,000 people have died in Darfur from a combination of violence, disease and famine since war broke out in 2003.
The AU's Peace and Security Council, meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, decided that the troops should remain in Darfur until the end of the year.
President of Burkina Faso and PSC chairman Blaise Campaore said: "There has been an agreement to extend the mandate of the [ AU] force for three months until December 31st while pushing for a dialogue between the Sudanese government and the United Nations." He said that the force, known as the African Union Mission in Sudan (Amis), would be strengthened "through contributions from Africa, logistical and material support from the UN and a commitment by the Arab League to fund the operation".
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern welcomed what he called a "positive development". But he added: "I hope the African Union's decision will lead to a willingness by the Sudanese government to reconsider urgently its continued opposition to deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur."
He hoped to meet the Sudanese foreign minister at the UN General Assembly next week so that he could raise these issues: "I also intend impressing upon the Sudanese government the importance of removing all restrictions and ensuring full security for all those engaged in vital, life-saving humanitarian operations in Darfur." He called for increased financial support from the international community to enable Amis to complete its mandate. "Ireland has already contributed €3 million in support to Amis, including €1.5 million announced last July, and I would hope and encourage others to follow our lead."
The Sudanese government remains implacably opposed to a UN mission, which it claims would be an exercise in neo-colonialism manipulated by Washington.
There are also suggestions that a UN presence in Darfur could open the way for arrests of Sudanese leaders and officials on war crimes charges. The UN last month adopted a resolution calling for the deployment of 22,500 peacekeepers in Darfur.