Questions surround Sudanese acceptance of 'hybrid' Darfur force

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — Questions have emerged about UN chief Kofi Annan's announcement that Sudan had accepted in principle a hybrid African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission for its troubled Darfur region. The late Thursday announcement here took many by surprise as Khartoum has repeatedly and vehemently rejected any UN role in Darfur and insisted that only the current AU force can operate there.

Diplomats and observers who attended the Annan-led talks that led to the apparent compromise said Khartoum's stance was not entirely clear, as Sudanese officials repeated that no UN peacekeepers would be allowed on the ground. One diplomat said Sudan had succeeded in preventing the world body from playing a significant role by agreeing to UN logistical and technical support...