Region | Sudan
Sudan to let in UN peacekeepers
After months of delay, Sudan said it would let 3,000 UN peacekeepers into Darfur to reinforce an African Union force struggling to keep the peace.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:00 April 17, 2007
United Nations: After months of delay, Sudan said it would let 3,000 UN peacekeepers into Darfur to reinforce an African Union force struggling to keep the peace, the most substantial agreement to date.
But the new military personnel may take six months to recruit and deploy, UN officials said. And Sudan has not yet agreed to a larger force of more than 20,000.
Sudan's acceptance on Monday of an interim plan is also expected to put in abeyance US-British plans to introduce sanctions against Khartoum so Sudan has a chance to carry out the pact, diplomats said.
Still, the United States voiced scepticism, noting that Khartoum had reneged on previous agreements on letting troops into Darfur, where at least 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million have been uprooted from their homes.
"We've been down this path before," said acting US Ambassador Alejandro Wolff. "So we will see if it happens when it happens." He said no decision had been made on sanctions.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Monday's agreement "a very positive sign" and said the United Nations and the African Union would move quickly to recruit the peacekeepers, who would man control centers but not join infantry units.
Jean-Marie Guehenno, in charge of UN peacekeeping, told reporters he would meet on Thursday with potential troop contributors, many of whom are hesitant about the future of the force, which would serve under African Union command.
The deal with Sudan has three stages: a light support package with UN police advisers, civilian staff and equipment, which has nearly been deployed.
The second phase is the so-called heavy support package, which Sudan approved on Monday, including six attack helicopters that Khartoum had opposed until the last minute.
And the third stage is a peacekeeping force of more than 20,000 troops and police which Sudan has not accepted.
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
