Joint force is too little, too late says aid organisation

AID agency GOAL said it has little enthusiasm for the planned hybrid force for Darfur.

The group has repeatedly called for the deployment of peacekeepers in the war-ravaged region. However, spokeswoman Lisa O’Shea said the UN/African Union mission is too little, too late.

GOAL chief executive John O’Shea said: “In the opinion of the organisation this mission is unlikely to end the pain and suffering of the vulnerable people of Darfur. 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.

“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.”

The organisation has urged foreign intervention since violence erupted in west Sudan four years ago.

“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?

“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.”