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23/07/2004
Sudanese must protect refugees, warn Annan and Powell
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and US Secretary of State Colin Powell have issued a joint warning to the Sudanese Government to protect civilians affected by the Darfur humanitarian crisis.
At a press conference yesterday, Mr Annan and Mr Powell said that the international community "must insist" that the Sudanese government honours the commitments it gave them when they were in Darfur three weeks ago.
More than a million Sudanese in Darfur are internally displaced and another 180,000 live as refugees in neighbouring Chad because of the fighting and militia attacks perpetrated by Arab Janjaweed fighters recruited and armed by the Khartoum Government. The UN believes that those militias have carried out "numerous human rights violations" against the region's black African population.
"It is important that the internally displaced people be protected," the Secretary-General added.
"It is a sacred responsibility of the government of Sudan to do that, and eventually disarm the Janjaweed and the other militia in the region."
He added: "We need food, we need non-food items, we need to work on sanitation, we need logistical support, we need helicopters, we need planes, and we are appealing to governments to give us the necessary tools to do our work."
Colin Powell voiced dissatisfaction with the region's instability, saying: "The burden for providing security rests fully on the Sudanese government."
He conceded that there had been "some modest improvement in access" in Darfur and called for the world's humanitarian organizations "to take advantage of this" by rushing aid in.
Pledging to keep up pressure on Khartoum, Mr Annan said that Security Council members were "very seriously" discussing a draft resolution on Khartoum.
(gmcg)
At a press conference yesterday, Mr Annan and Mr Powell said that the international community "must insist" that the Sudanese government honours the commitments it gave them when they were in Darfur three weeks ago.
More than a million Sudanese in Darfur are internally displaced and another 180,000 live as refugees in neighbouring Chad because of the fighting and militia attacks perpetrated by Arab Janjaweed fighters recruited and armed by the Khartoum Government. The UN believes that those militias have carried out "numerous human rights violations" against the region's black African population.
"It is important that the internally displaced people be protected," the Secretary-General added.
"It is a sacred responsibility of the government of Sudan to do that, and eventually disarm the Janjaweed and the other militia in the region."
He added: "We need food, we need non-food items, we need to work on sanitation, we need logistical support, we need helicopters, we need planes, and we are appealing to governments to give us the necessary tools to do our work."
Colin Powell voiced dissatisfaction with the region's instability, saying: "The burden for providing security rests fully on the Sudanese government."
He conceded that there had been "some modest improvement in access" in Darfur and called for the world's humanitarian organizations "to take advantage of this" by rushing aid in.
Pledging to keep up pressure on Khartoum, Mr Annan said that Security Council members were "very seriously" discussing a draft resolution on Khartoum.
(gmcg)
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22 July 2004
$200m funding shortfall threatens progress in Sudan crisis: UN
Humanitarian assistance for the crisis-hit Darfur region is under threat from a $200 million shortfall in funding, and a lack of will from the Sudanese government, the UN has said.
$200m funding shortfall threatens progress in Sudan crisis: UN
Humanitarian assistance for the crisis-hit Darfur region is under threat from a $200 million shortfall in funding, and a lack of will from the Sudanese government, the UN has said.
20 August 2004
Sudanese forces 'harassed and brutually treated' refugees
Sudanese military harassed and brutally treated the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Darfur region, in contravention of agreements made to the UN and US, it has been confirmed.
Sudanese forces 'harassed and brutually treated' refugees
Sudanese military harassed and brutally treated the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Darfur region, in contravention of agreements made to the UN and US, it has been confirmed.
06 September 2004
UN has abdicated responsibility in Darfur, claims Trocaire
The UN has abdicated its responsibility to the victims of the Darfur humanitarian crisis with its totally inadequate response, according to the Irish aid agency Trócaire.
UN has abdicated responsibility in Darfur, claims Trocaire
The UN has abdicated its responsibility to the victims of the Darfur humanitarian crisis with its totally inadequate response, according to the Irish aid agency Trócaire.
06 August 2004
Sudan pledges to disarm militias within 30 days
UN and Sudanese officials have signed an agreement committing Khartoum to take "detailed steps" in the next 30 days to disarm the militias responsible for deadly attacks in the Darfur region, improve security for the 1.
Sudan pledges to disarm militias within 30 days
UN and Sudanese officials have signed an agreement committing Khartoum to take "detailed steps" in the next 30 days to disarm the militias responsible for deadly attacks in the Darfur region, improve security for the 1.
17 June 2004
Annan to visit Sudan over humanitarian crisis
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced plans to travel to Sudan, after the world body earlier this week accused the Sudanese government of being responsible for the slaughter of dozens of civilians in villages in the Darfur region of the country.
Annan to visit Sudan over humanitarian crisis
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced plans to travel to Sudan, after the world body earlier this week accused the Sudanese government of being responsible for the slaughter of dozens of civilians in villages in the Darfur region of the country.
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