Peacekeepers in Darfur may be forced to leave

THE African Union lacks the funds to maintain its peacekeeping force or to boost its efficiency amid a deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Sudan’s Darfur, a top AU official warned yesterday.

While the US, the AU and others have called for deployment of a strong UN peacekeeping force to replace the ill-equipped and underfunded AU force in Darfur by October 1, the Sudanese government vocally opposes the move. The UN has asked the 7,000-strong AU force to stay beyond the end of its mandate in September.

But the chief AU negotiator in Sudan, Sam Ibok, said the AU had not decided if it would prolong its mission.

“We can only stay if we are provided the adequate funding and equipment,” Mr Ibok said.

“We came to help the Darfurians. But Darfur rebels are attacking our people and killing our people, and enough is enough.”

His words echo the dismay among AU personnel as they face rising hostility from various Darfurian factions that accuse it of failing to end the violence.

International aid agencies also say insecurity has worsened in Sudan’s remote western region since the signing of a peace agreement last May. Only one rebel force joined the government in signing the agreement, and infighting among rebel factions is blamed for much of the increased violence since May.

The UN World Food Programme said yesterday that insufficient funding — and the deteriorating security situation — could force it to reduce the food rations it distributes to over six million people in Darfur.