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Media Statement, 1st August 2007
The humanitarian agency, GOAL, who have been calling for the deployment of international peace keepers to Darfur for four years, has greeted with little enthusiasm the news that the United Nations Security Council intends to send a hybrid force into Sudan’s western states.
GOAL CEO John O’Shea said today, “In the opinion of the organisation this mission is unlikely to end the pain and suffering of the vulnerable people of Darfur.”
O’Shea added, “We need to ask why the Security Council has mandated a hybrid force? The African Union has manifestly failed in their duty to protect the people of Darfur. They are not trusted on the ground, they are ineffectual, and they are defecting in their droves. The UN should act independently, as it does elsewhere.”
He went on, “And why has there been a watered-down role for the international force? It would appear that they will monitor the situation, and only be allowed to use force when attacked. This has a resonance with Somalia in 1992 and Rwanda in 1994 when the poorest paid the heaviest price.”
“Why will it take six months to assemble the force – when in the words of Gordon Brown this is the worst tragedy in the world? Where is the urgency? All of this makes one very suspicious, especially since China has been an implacable opponent of deployment because it is acting on the instructions of Khartoum. What has happened to change China’s mind? Has a deal on oil been struck? Why also has Brown spoken about increased sanctions on Khartoum if they don’t play ball? But surely if the international force is to protect the people we shouldn’t worry about sanctions?”
O’Shea concluded, “It is imperative that we have the full truth and that all details on exactly what role this international peacekeeping force will play, are set out in precise detail. And, of course, the most important aspect of all – the precise mandate. Will they have permission to disarm the Janjaweed and take action against the Sudanese air force when they launch bombing raids on the villages of Darfur? Unless this force has real clout they are better off staying at home.”
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