UN heightens security in parts of Darfur as envoy attends latest peace talks

With a build-up of armed troops along the northern border of Darfur, Sudan, the United Nations has raised the security level in parts of the province, pulling out all but essential personnel as the top UN envoy there headed to Abuja, Nigeria for the next round of peace talks on the troubled region.

Jan Pronk, Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative, has voiced concern about the slow pace of negotiations at the talks between the Government and rebel groups, which aim to end a conflict that has taken scores of thousands of lives and uprooted millions.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, he also expressed disappointment that the objective of concluding the talks successfully by the end of last year was not met.

Regarding the heightened security level, Mr. Pronk said: “This decision was taken due to the increasing instability in the affected areas, including a build-up of forces on either side of the border with increased potential for armed conflict.

“The decision taken will result in a considerable reduction in the presence of UN staff and restricted UN access in the affected areas,” he added. “There will be no overall evacuation.”

The UN will continue delivering its essential life-saving humanitarian services, including emergency food and health care, while providing water and shelter. Human rights monitoring will also continue.

Mr. Pronk said the security status of the area will be reassessed in the next two to three weeks.

In his latest report to the Security Council on Sudan, Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for urgently improving security in Darfur and intensifying the search for a durable political peace, including a permanent ceasefire.

“Those who continue impeding the peaceful resolution of the conflict should know that they will be held accountable,” Mr. Annan warned.

He said that a political agreement must be followed by early confidence-building measures and a fully inclusive dialogue between all parties to chart the longer-term strategy for sustainable peace.

Noting that security has also become a matter of growing concern in southern Sudan, he said serious questions remain about the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which was adopted last January and ended over two decades of devastating civil war in the region.

He urged the Government of National Unity and the Government of South Sudan to tackle the insecurity there and to protect civilian and humanitarian staff in areas where the Ugandan-based Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and other armed groups operate.

The Security Council has scheduled meetings on Sudan for next Friday, 13 January.