10 AU peacekeepers killed by unidentified militants in Darfur

www.chinaview.cn 2007-09-30 19:13:32 Print

KHARTOUM, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) --

Ten soldiers of the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force have been killed and seven others injured in an attack by unidentified militants in the war-torn western Sudanese region of Darfur, an AU source said on Sunday.

An unknown number of the AU peacekeepers were also taken as hostages in the attack on a base of the AU peacekeeping force at Haskanita in South Darfur State on Saturday evening, according to the source.

The source who refused to give his name told Xinhua that the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) was "extremely concerned" about the accident and was studying how to deal with the situation.

The 7,800-strong AU peacekeeping force was deployed in Darfur to monitor a fragile ceasefire reached between the Sudanese government and the rebel movements in April, 2004.

Armed conflicts as well as attacks on the peacekeepers and humanitarian workers, however, have been repeatedly witnessed even after the Khartoum government signed a peace agreement with a main rebel faction in May, 2006.

The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution two months ago, authorizing a hybrid peacekeeping operation to be conducted by some 26,000 peacekeepers mainly from African countries. They will be deployed in Darfur by the end of this year.

Editor: Lin Li

UN urges Darfur rebels to abide by ceasefire

www.chinaview.cn 2007-09-27 03:29:46 Print

KHARTOUM, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) --

The United Nations urged on Wednesday rebels in the western Sudanese region of Darfur to abide by a ceasefire as preparations were undergoing for the resumption of peace negotiations.

"Both the UN and the African Union have been saying that a cessation of hostilities is an utmost priority and a key requirement not only to help improve situation of the people on the ground and alleviate the suffering of the people of Darfur, but to ensure a viable environment for the talks," said Radhia Achouri, the spokesperson of the UN Mission in Sudan.

"You can not negotiate and continue to fight on the ground. All parties have to abide by a cessation of hostilities," the spokesperson added.

She reiterated that the issue of Darfur could only be resolved around a negotiation table and one of the basic requirements of the negotiations was for all sitting at opposing ends of the table not to carry on with fighting.

"You can not have the guns talking at the same time when you are engaged in negotiations," she noted.

Khalil Ibrahim, leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) claimed recently that he would continue fighting the government forces during the upcoming negotiations, which will be held in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on October 27.

Invitations to those who will be participating in the negotiations have not been sent out yet.

In preparation for the peace talks, UN and AU mediators are carrying out more consultations with the parties concerned on the format of the negotiations and other issues.

Special Envoy of the United States for Darfur Andrew Natsios arrived in Khartoum on Wednesday on a ten-day visit in Sudan during which he will hold meetings with Sudanese officials on the situation in Darfur.

Editor: Yan Liang

UN panel praises Sudan's co-op, efforts to improve situation in Darfur

www.chinaview.cn 2007-09-26 00:27:16 Print

KHARTOUM, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) --

A panel formed by the United Nations to look into the human rights situation in Darfur praised on Tuesday the cooperation and efforts of the Sudanese government to improve the situation in the war-torn western Sudanese region.

"It appreciates the high degree of cooperation, flexibility and openness of its interlocutors during the period under review," said a report prepared by the group of experts mandated by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).

"The group of experts, taking into account the challenges faced by the government of Sudan, welcomes its fresh commitment to working with the council and the United Nations to implement pre-existing recommendations in the field of human rights," the report noted.

"The group of experts welcomes the efforts made by the government of Sudan towards implementation of its short-term recommendations," the report added.

It, however, urged the Sudanese government to continue and intensify its efforts to implement the recommendations compiled by the group of experts "without delay."

The report also called on all parties involved in the Darfur conflict "to put an end to all acts of violence against civilians as well as humanitarian workers."

The group, comprising seven experts, was formed according to a resolution adopted by the HRC on March 30 this year.

The HRC asked the group to work with the parties concerned "to ensure the effective follow-up and to foster the implementation of resolutions and recommendations on Darfur, as adopted by the HRC, the Commission on Human Rights and other United Nations human rights institutions."

Editor: Yan Liang

China urges early breakthrough in political process on Darfur

www.chinaview.cn 2007-09-22 13:24:27 Print

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) --

China on Friday called for an early breakthrough in the political process on Darfur that would achieve peace in the conflict-torn region of Sudan.

"This is an important basis for achieving comprehensive and durable peace in Darfur and will facilitate the smooth deployment of the African Union-United Nations hybrid mission in the region," Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said at a high-level meeting on Darfur.

"We should... continue to give full play to the role of the tripartite mechanism among the UN, the AU and the Sudanese government as the main channel, step up dialogue and consultation on an equal footing, increase mutual confidence, and finalize the specific arrangements to ensure full, speedy and smooth deployment of the hybrid mission," he said.

Representatives from 26 countries, the UN, the African Union, the European Union and the League of Arab States took part in the meeting, chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and AU Commission chairman Alpha Oumar Konare.

Zhai said the international community should support the resumption of negotiations between the Sudanese government and opposition groups in Darfur, to be held in Tripoli, Libya on Oct. 27.

He said the Chinese government is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Darfur and has provided humanitarian relief to the region.

Chinese companies have dug dozens of wells in Darfur and are undertaking a water supply project to ease drinking water shortage and promote agriculture and pastoral farming in the area.

In addition, Chinese companies in Sudan have donated education supplies to schools in Darfur and plan to build a hospital in North Darfur, he said.

"China will take an active part in Darfur's reconstruction, continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance to Darfur according to its ability, and encourage Chinese companies to contribute more to Darfur's reconstruction and development," Zhai said.

Editor: Yao Siyan

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