Sudan Army Threatens Peacekeepers in Darfur
The joint United Nations – African Union peacekeeping mission said 200 Sudanese government soldiers confronted the peacekeepers at their camp in Shangil Tobay in North Darfur, surrounding the site's exit as well as an adjacent makeshift refugee camp.
It said the Sudanese commander threatened to burn down the refugee camp if the peacekeepers did not stop interfering in the government's internal affairs.
The incident took place as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, called on peacekeepers in Darfur to be more aggressive in protecting civilians and aid workers.
Rice said Wednesday the United States and other countries have been frustrated by repeated instances of peacekeepers being denied access to villages where fighting has been reported. She said the peacekeepers should not have to negotiate with the Sudanese government.
The U.N. envoy in Darfur, Ibrahim Gambari, told the 15-nation Security Council via video link Wednesday that he instructed the peacekeepers this month to take what he called “a more robust posture.” However, he acknowledged that there still have been instances where U.N. patrols have been blocked.
A report to the U.N. Security Council Wednesday said Sudan's government has interfered 23 times in the last few months with the U.N.- African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur. It said rebels or civilians were responsible for three other instances of interference.
Darfur rebels took up arms against the government in 2003, accusing Khartoum of neglecting their region. Fighting has continued for eight years despite peace negotiations between Sudan and the various rebel groups.
The United Nations says more than 300,000 people have been killed in the Darfur conflict, and 2.7 million others displaced. Sudan's government puts the death toll at 10,000.
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