Region | Sudan
Military officer calls for greater support
The African Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) requires more troops from the African countries, logistics, expertise, equipment and finances to do a much better job in Darfur, said a top AMIS military officer.
- By Joseph Marques, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 April 19, 2007
- Image Credit: Joseph Marques/Gulf News
- Colonel Odalipo speaks to Gulf News about the need for more expertise, logistics and finances.
Nyala, Darfur: The African Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) requires more troops from the African countries, logistics, expertise, equipment and finances to do a much better job in Darfur, said a top AMIS military officer.
"And even if it comes from the UN or any other international organisations, we don't mind it," said Colonel Jap Odalipo, Commander of Sector 2 AMIS forces in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur.
"Within our limited resources and with the support and cooperation of the government of Sudan we are doing a good job, but we can do a fantastic job if all our requirements are met, even if that mean using logistics and expertise from the UN," Colonel Odalipo told Gulf News.
In Sector 2 area, he said there is calm, although there were some sporadic incidents. "I have to admit there were some violations by all the parties, but we are working on security and reconciliation and to a large extent have succeeded in solving many of the problems that are endemic to this area such as the robbing of cattle and holding women to ransom for returning the cattle.
"Such issues can flare up into violent clashes between the tribes," he said.
Dr Farrah Mustafa, the Deputy Governor of South Darfur, who is also the acting governor, asserted that reconciliation efforts are going on between the various factions who have not signed the Darfur Peace Agreement and progress has been made on this front.
"Of late, we didn't have any major problems in South Darfur. No doubt, there is poverty here, socioeconomic and development issues which have been hijacked by some people to use as a leverage for political positions."
Compensation
Sharthai Abdullah Mohammad, Chairman of the Reconciliation Council in South Darfur and adviser to the governor of South Darfur pointed out that talks are going on with the faction of Sudan Liberation Army headed by Abdul Wahid Mohammad Al Noor.
"Just three days ago we had discussions with him and his demand is to compensate individually all the people who are affected by the crisis. Given the limited financial resources, it is a tall order.
But we are ready for a compromise. Nevertheless, we have decided to compensate them as a group and the Sudanese government is doing its best to help and rehabilitate the people."
The SLA faction led by Abdul Wahid has not signed the Abuja Agreement and is demanding greater concessions from the government.
According to some people, Abdul Wahid enjoys more support than Minni Minawi, the SLA leader who signed the Abuja accord.
Two more battalions to join
AMIS has eight sectors with a troop strength of only 6,000 to monitor Darfur, a semi-arid landmass the size of France with a desert and inhospitable terrain. In a late night meeting on Monday, Sudan agreed to allow a limited presence of UN forces and the use of UN helicopter gunships under the command of African Union forces.
Colonel Jap Odalipo, Comander of Sector 2 AMIS forces in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur stated that two more battalions are going to join the AMIS forces, one each from Nigeria and Mauritania.
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