Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Khartoum (Fides Service)- British Prime Minster Tony Blair starts a five-day visit to Sudan today, 6 October. He will meet the Sudanese President Omar al-Bechir and Vice president Ali Osmane Mohamed Taha and one central question for discussion will be the tragedy in Darfur. Mr Blair will confirm the position of the international community, which for some time now has asked Khartoum to take measures to alleviate the suffering of the civilians in the region.
The UN Security Council adopted two resolutions, 30 July and 18 September calling on the Sudanese government to stop the violence, disarm the militia groups, which are terrorising the people, and to take legal action against those responsible for violence and massacres. For security reasons the British premier will not visit Darfur.
Meeting with the Sudanese leaders, Mr Blair will ask for maximum efforts in view of peace talks in Nigeria set to resume on 21 October.
So the international community continues its efforts to stop the tragedy in Darfur where civil war has raged for 20 months and there is a serious humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations between 30,000 and 50,000 civilians have been killed and 1.4 million are displaced.
Libya’s leader colonel Gheddafi, intervened in the mediation, convoking a min-summit in Libya of heads of state of Chad and Egypt, which both have borders with Sudan, and the head of state of Nigeria, at the moment African Union president. The date has not been set but is expected to be before 21 October. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/10/2004 righe 25 parole 296)
