Sudan 'to accept UN Darfur force'
By Dennis Louis,WNS Africa Bureau Chief
JOHANNESBURG - Outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said he believes Sudan is set to approve the deployment of a joint UN-African Union force in Darfur. Until now, President Omar al-Bashir has consistently opposed any involvement of the UN in the western region. However, Sudanese officials say the government has now accepted the idea of a "hybrid" force of peacekeepers, including UN personnel. Fighting in Darfur has killed some 200,000 people since early 2003. More than two million have been displaced.
The conflict began when a rebellion by local groups triggered a counter-offensive by the army and government-backed Arab militias. Last week, the US warned Sudan it would face unspecified sanctions if it did not agree to an international peacekeeping force for Darfur by January. Mr Annan made his comments after what he described as encouraging reports from his envoy, who had spoken to Mr Bashir. The reports "encourage me to think we may tomorrow (Saturday) receive a green light from President Bashir", he said. The outgoing UN chief added he also expected Mr Bashir to agree to a ceasefire and moves to restart talks with Darfur political groups. But he added that he took nothing for granted after "so many disappointments".
posted by wnsworld @ 5:51 AM
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