Sudan’s Government Thursday agreed with the United Nations, the African Union (AU) and representatives from Security Council countries and others to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur alongside those of the AU mission already there trying to halt the spiralling violence in the region, writes UN News Centre.
A hybrid operation is agreed in principle, pending clarification of the size of the force. The peacekeeping force will have a predominantly African character… Backstopping and command and control structures will be provided by the UN, according to the communiqué released after a day of intensive meetings in Addis Ababa.
The strength of the peacekeeping force should be 17,000 and 3,000 police. However, the Government of Sudan representative indicated that he would need to consult with his Government on this figure. The peacekeeping force must enjoy free and unhindered movement in Darfur.
After the meetings, co-chaired by Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, participants stressed in their conclusions on the need for all sides to immediately commit to a cessation of hostilities, and also called for a meeting between the Government and those rebel groups which did not sign the peace agreement reached in May.
At least 200,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Darfur as a result of the conflict between Government forces, allied militias and rebels seeking greater autonomy, and more than 2 million others have been displaced.
But the Government has rejected the expansion of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to Darfur and at present the UN assists a 7,000-strong African Union mission (AMIS). All participants at Thursday’s meetings, including Sudan’s Government, agreed on the need to enhance AMIS’ capacity urgently.
