KHARTOUM, Sudan – The UN peacekeeping chief announced today that the UN lacks enough troops and equipment to do much to improve the situation in Darfur before mid-2008.  Jean-Marie Guehenno, the UN undersecretary-general for peacekeeping warned of “dire consequences” for Sudan and voiced some doubt that the joint AU-UN peacekeeping force deployed this month would be able to provide for even its own security.   The mission currently has 9,000 soldiers and police officers, but is supposed to eventually have 26,000.   Sweden and Norway also announced today that they will not be sending 400 troops to Darfur due to opposition from the Sudanese government. 

Meanwhile, the UN and US have both condemned the recent attack on Sudanese troops and UN peacekeepers in Darfur.  The US has called for tougher sanctions in reaction to this attack.  State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement: “The United States believes this incident demonstrates the need for a stronger arms embargo for Sudan and we will be working with our security council partners to that end.” 

The Sudanese government has denied any responsibility for the attack and insists it was the work of rebels.  Sudan’s UN envoy, Abdalmahmood Mohamad, stated that “the armed forces have no relationship whatsoever” with the convoy attack.  The government has specifically blamed the rebel group Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).  JEM commander Abdel Aziz el-Nur Ashr dismissed the accusation and insists that that attack was in territory controlled by government forces.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – UN: 6-month setback for Darfur peacekeeping because of inadequate troops, equipment and security – 9 January 2008

AFP – Security Council, US slam Darfur attack – 9 January 2008

VOA News – Sudan UN Envoy Denies Army Attack on UN/AU Convoy in Darfur – 9 January 2008

AFP – US demands tougher sanctions on Sudan – 9 January 2008

Reuters – Sudan says rebels, not army, attacked peacekeepers – 9 January 2008

Reuters – Sweden, Norway withdraw plan for Darfur troops – 9 January 2008