22/10/2004

Aid for Darfur mission must be 'urgent and generous'

Countries must "contribute urgently and generously" to help the Africa Union (AU) as it expands its operation to protect civilians and aid workers in the crisis-hit Sudan.

The AU Peace and Security Council announced on Wednesday that it would increase its observer mission of 465 to a full peacekeeping force that would include 2,341 military personnel, among them 450 observers, and up to 815 civilian personnel.

In addition to monitoring the ceasefire, the AU force aims to help create an environment where humanitarian assistance can be delivered and displaced persons returned to their homes.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that pressure "must be maintained" on the Sudanese government and the rebels to honour their commitments.

A spokesperson for the Secretary General said it was "essential" that the AU receives the "urgent, adequate and continuing support of the international community".

“The UN will continue to offer the AU whatever assistance it can. The Secretary-General urges all Member States with capacity urgently and generously to provide the required support,” he added.

(gmcg)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 August 2007
Police Seek Mother Of Abandoned Newborn
Police in North Lanarkshire are trying to trace the mother of a baby boy who was found abandoned at Wishaw General Hospital on Tuesday night. The child, who has reportedly been named Andrew after the security guard who found him, was discovered around 10:15pm last night in the baby changing room of the hospital.
06 February 2015
Babies With Frequent Eye Movements Are More Likely To Develop Autism
Babies who move their eyes more often than their peers at the age of six months are more likely to meet criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as children, according to researchers funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). Researchers used eye tracking technology to measure 104 babies (aged 6-8 months) at high or low familial risk for ASD.
13 June 2005
Anti-cancer drug could help prevent premature births
An anti-cancer drug could help prevent thousands of premature births that occur each year, according to a scientific study.
28 May 2008
Prince Harry On Charity Mission
Prince Harry is to join personnel from his regiment working in Africa for his favourite charity. The Royal will travel to the Kingdom of Lesotho this summer with military colleagues to work on projects supported by his charity 'Sentebale' launched in the memory of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 2006.
07 October 2004
More AU monitors needed in Darfur, says Blair
The Prime Minister has called on the Sudanese government to help expand the number of UN-backed troops in Darfur. Speaking on the second day of his Africa mission, Tony Blair said that the EU was ready to help following "frank and open" talks with the Sudanese government.