Dafur: Anyaoku Recommends Sanctions
By Moses Jolayemi
Former Commonwealth Secretary General , Chief Emeka Anyaoku has recommended stiff sanctions against the Sudanese government if it fails to end the activities of the Janjaweed rebels in the war-torn Dafur region of Sudan.
Speaking to THISDAY, during the celebrations marking the 47th National Day anniversary of Malaysia in Lagos, Anyaoku who is chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations said African Union must insist on the resolution of the crisis until peace is achieved.
Dafur, Anyaoku said" is the first real test for Africa's leadership" adding that " I believe that the president was entirely right to host the talks."
The AU according to Anyaoku should "stand for what is right in Dafur which is to end the activities of the Janjaweed" and " the AU should be firm on that".
He said if the AU maintains a firm position, the rest of the international community "will rally behind the AU"
The organisation he said must ensure that the displaced persons and the refugees return home whlie the rebels sheath their swords.
"The AU should make it abundantly clear to the government in Khartum that the unsavoury developments in Dafur must be brought toi an end," Anyaoku stated.
Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) yesterday welcomed an agreement signed by the Sudanese government and two rebel groups on the improvement of the humanitarian situation in the troubled region.
The Sudanese government and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Justice and Equality Movement signed the agreement on Wednesday, within the framework of the inter-Sudanese political talks on the crisis, which has convened in Abuja, since August 23 under the auspices of the AU.
According to a press release from the AU, Alpha Oumar Konare, chairperson of the union's Commission, said the protocol "constitutes an important step in the efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering of the civilian population in Darfur and paving the way to a comprehensive and lasting political settlement of the conflict in this region."
Konare encouraged the parties to continue to show the same commitment in discussing the remaining items on the agenda of the political talks, bearing in mind the urgency of the situation.
Under the protocol, the Sudanese parties committed themselves to guarantee unimpeded and unrestricted access for humanitarian workers and assistance to reach all needy people throughout Darfur.
In this respect, the parties pledged to allow the United Nations and other humanitarian assistance organizations, including non-governmental organizations to travel along routes proposed by the United Nations, without restrictions or escorts, in order to deliver assistance to areas controlled by any party.
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