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Sudan Making Peacekeeping 'Impossible'

Top UN official says Khartoum demands will make forces worthless

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 28, 2007 10:00 AM CST
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(Newser) – The UN's head of peacekeeping operations blasted the Sudanese government for intentionally restrictive demands that "would make it impossible for the mission to operate." Khartoum is refusing to admit non-African soldiers, withholding permission for night flights, and insisting on advance notice of all troop movements, the BBC reports. It also expects to be allowed to shut down communications at any time.

Jean-Marie Guéhenno, the French diplomat and undersecretary-general for peacekeeping, told the Security Council that accepting Sudan's demands would lead to "tragic failure for the people of Darfur." If a UN-backed force did enter Darfur under Sudan's restrictions, the result could only be one "that will not make a difference."

Rodolphe Adada, chief of the United Nations and African Union joint mission to Darfur, speaks to the media after inaugurating the headquarters in Darfur for the joint UN-AU mission, in El Fasher, Sudan Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007.
Rodolphe Adada, chief of the United Nations and African Union joint mission to Darfur, speaks to the media after inaugurating the headquarters in Darfur for the joint UN-AU mission, in El Fasher, Sudan...   (Associated Press)
Jean-Marie Guehenno, Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations speaks to reporters after Security Council briefing discussing the attack on the African Union Mission in the Sudan at UN Headquarters on Monday, Oct. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/David Karp)
Jean-Marie Guehenno, Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations speaks to reporters after Security Council briefing discussing the attack on the African Union Mission in the Sudan at UN Headquarters...   (Associated Press)
Sudanese newspaper vendors talk to each other at a bus station in Khartoum, Sudan, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. A top UN official has said that Khartoum's demands on peacekeeping forces in Darfur would render the effort useless. (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Sudanese newspaper vendors talk to each other at a bus station in Khartoum, Sudan, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. A top UN official has said that Khartoum's demands on peacekeeping forces in Darfur would render...   (Associated Press)
In this previously untransmitted photo, children drive a donkey cart through the Otash refugee camp on the outskirts of Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.
In this previously untransmitted photo, children drive a donkey cart through the Otash refugee camp on the outskirts of Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.   (Associated Press)
Refugee women are seen in the Otash refugee camp on the outskirts of Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.
Refugee women are seen in the Otash refugee camp on the outskirts of Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.   (Associated Press)
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Information on UNAMID, the current UN-African Union hybrid force in Darfur
United Nations

 
United Nations • Darfur • Sudan • UN Security Council

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