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
Sudan Making Peacekeeping 'Impossible'
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.   (Associated Press)

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." (More UN Security Council stories.)

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