Special Report: Sudan National
Reconcilation
BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Progress has been made in the peacekeeping
mission by the hybrid United Nations and African Union (AU) force in Darfur, the
Chinese government's special representative on Darfur, Liu Guijin, said here on
Friday.
Most obstacles to the deployment of the peacekeepers had been cleared, Liu
told a press briefing.
For instance, the advance troops of a 315-strong engineering unit from
China and a police unit from Bangladesh have been deployed in Darfur, and
African nations such as Egypt and Ethiopiaare preparing to send forces as well,
he said.
The United Nations and the Sudanese government had over the past month
signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The United Nations, the African
Union and the Sudanese government had reached general agreements on issues
concerning night navigation and location for the hybrid forces.
As to container transportation, Liu said that Sudan had amended its customs
regulations and that no United Nations containers were detained at Sudanese port
facilities.
Liu expressed regret that all these steps had been largely ignored by the
media and some organizations.
Liu said that one current problem was that the Sudanese government had
reservations about whether to accept peacekeepers from Nepal and Thailand.
Another problem was that the hybrid forces till lacked 24 helicopters, which was
the chief problem for the peacekeeping mission, Liu noted.
Liu urged all parties involved to make concerted efforts to find a solution
to the Darfur issue.
The hybrid peacekeeping operation, widely known as UNAMID, will be the
largest peacekeeping operation for the international organization in the world.
UNAMID is mandated to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance and
help provide a secure environment in Darfur.
Liu's press conference came after he concluded a trip that took him to
Britain, Sudan, Chad and France between late February and early March. The trip
was intended to help resolve the Darfur issue.
