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UK Government: Sudan - Canadian announcement of support to the African Union in Darfur
May 13, 2005 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Following the announcement by the Canadian Government of further support for the African Union in Darfur, the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and the International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn said: "We warmly welcome the Canadian announcement of extra support for the African Union (AU) in Darfur. The crisis still remains a top priority for the British Government. More than two million Darfuris have had to leave their homes because of conflict there and this figure is set to rise during the coming rainy season. Attacks on aid workers are also now rising, including the horrific and totally unjustified killings last week of two truck drivers working with WFP in delivering urgently needed humanitarian goods to the people of Darfur. We join the rest of the international community in utterly condemning these killings.
"Part of the Canadian initiative is to provide assistance to the African Union's monitoring mission in Darfur. The African Union's monitoring mission in Darfur has a key role in providing protection, and securing a durable peace. We therefore welcome the AU's recent decision to double the size of the mission.
And we are shocked at the reported abduction of a team of AU military observers by the SLA during the course of this week. Such action is utterly reprehensible and unacceptable. The AU is working to assure security for the Darfuri population. The SLA appear to show by these actions that they care little for the safety and security of the people they claim to represent. The UK has already given GBP14m worth of assistance to the mission. The AU is preparing a list of further needs for the international community to support. We will respond positively to this.
"The Canadians have also announced the appointment of envoys to help take forward the political process. This is essential if there is to be a lasting solution in Darfur. We fully support the efforts of the African Union to broker a peace agreement. We continue to urge the Government of Sudan and the rebels to work with the AU on this, so that there can be an early resumption of the Abuja peace talks, and to show that they are serious about finding a lasting solution to the conflict in this region."
Notes for Editors
1. UK assistance to the AU mission has consisted of 600 vehicles, training for military observers and advice on logistics and operations. We have earmarked GBP7m for further assistance this financial year. The AU Secretary-General, Alpha Oumar Konare, is due to visit Brussels on 17 May to discuss the AU's requirements with NATO and EU representatives. It is most unlikely that the AU will want Western troops on the ground.
2. Two Sudanese truck drivers, contracted by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), were killed on 8 May in two separate incidents, when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them on the road in South Darfur.
In the first incident, the driver was attacked between Assalaya and Yassin and shot in the head. The truck, with its cargo intact, was recovered the next day when other drivers found it on the road. In the second incident, a truck was attacked in Assalaya as it returned from Nyala after delivering its load. The driver was shot and killed, but his assistant, although wounded, managed to drive the vehicle back to Ed-Daen.
3. The AU have confirmed Sudanese press reports that a team of AU MILOBS was going about their normal work in South Darfur on 10 May, when they were abducted by the SLA. After lengthy negotiations the team was released the following evening.
M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.
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