Sudan dismisses UN ultimatum

ABUJA – Sudan’s government has defiantly dismissed a United Nations deadline for it to disarm its proxy militia in the Darfur region, insisting it would resolve the conflict there through ongoing African Union peace talks.

On the fourth day of talks here between the government and Darfur’s rebel groups, the parties put a row over disarmament to one side in order to decide how to tackle a mounting humanitarian crisis in the western region. Meanwhile, Nigeria confirmed the imminent deployment of 150 troops to protect African Union ceasefire monitors in Darfur.As the delegates arrived at the Abuja venue, Sudan’s chief negotiator brushed aside the UN Security Council’s August 30 deadline for the restoration of peace in Darfur, insisting that it was concentrating on the Abuja dialogue.Asked whether Sudan would seek to meet the terms of the UN ultimatum, which is backed by a threat of sanctions, Agriculture Minister Majzoub al-Khalifa said: “Not at all.It’s never crossed our minds or our hearts.””We are working towards our duties to our people.We are a dignified people.It’s not our aim to set dates.What is going to happen is that the deadline will pass and we are going to continue negotiations,” he said.”I think this thing [the Abuja peace talks] will finish in three or four or five days,” he added.Other delegates and organisers agreed with the minister’s estimated timescale.Al-Khalifa’s declaration came as the UN envoy to Sudan accused the government of dragging its feet over the issue of disarming its proxy militia.”In Khartoum, we hear a lot of fine words, but the situation in Darfur has not changed much,” Jan Pronk said in Khartoum.”The UN doesn’t want promises, but their fulfilment.”The government-backed Janjaweed Arab militia has been accused of massacring civilians during Darfur’s 18-month-old civil war.More than 1,4-million people have been driven from their homes during the fighting, and more than 30 000 killed, according to the United Nations.The UN also wants guarantees on the delivery of humanitarian aid, troops to be withdrawn from around refugee camps and information on those suspected of atrocities, Pronk said.- Nampa-AFPMeanwhile, Nigeria confirmed the imminent deployment of 150 troops to protect African Union ceasefire monitors in Darfur.As the delegates arrived at the Abuja venue, Sudan’s chief negotiator brushed aside the UN Security Council’s August 30 deadline for the restoration of peace in Darfur, insisting that it was concentrating on the Abuja dialogue.Asked whether Sudan would seek to meet the terms of the UN ultimatum, which is backed by a threat of sanctions, Agriculture Minister Majzoub al-Khalifa said: “Not at all.It’s never crossed our minds or our hearts.””We are working towards our duties to our people.We are a dignified people.It’s not our aim to set dates.What is going to happen is that the deadline will pass and we are going to continue negotiations,” he said.”I think this thing [the Abuja peace talks] will finish in three or four or five days,” he added.Other delegates and organisers agreed with the minister’s estimated timescale.Al-Khalifa’s declaration came as the UN envoy to Sudan accused the government of dragging its feet over the issue of disarming its proxy militia.”In Khartoum, we hear a lot of fine words, but the situation in Darfur has not changed much,” Jan Pronk said in Khartoum.”The UN doesn’t want promises, but their fulfilment.”The government-backed Janjaweed Arab militia has been accused of massacring civilians during Darfur’s 18-month-old civil war.More than 1,4-million people have been driven from their homes during the fighting, and more than 30 000 killed, according to the United Nations.The UN also wants guarantees on the delivery of humanitarian aid, troops to be withdrawn from around refugee camps and information on those suspected of atrocities, Pronk said.- Nampa-AFP