Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Banjul (Agenzia Fides) - Sudan, Somalia and the destiny of former Chad president Hissène Habré were discussed by the African Union meeting on Sunday 2 July at Banjul, capital of Gambia.
The most relevant decision taken by African heads of state and government was to prolong the AU military mission in Darfur until the end of 2006. “As requested by the UN general secretary the, African Union will continue its mission until the end of the year” Denis Sassou Nguesso, head of state of Congo Brazzaville and rotating AU president announced. The extended mission should give the UN time to organise its own contingent to replace the African troops at the beginning of 2007.
The AU mission in the tormented western region of Sudan was due to end in September. Since February 2003 Darfur has been the scene of a violent civil conflict which has left at least 300,000, and over 2 million internally displaced or refugees in Chad. The mission of the 7,000 African peacekeepers is to protect a delegation of civil observers in Darfur to see the parties respect the cease fire agreement. However Darfur is so vast that it is impossible for 7,000 soldiers and a few thousand observers to control the whole area. This is why the United Nations, at the suggestion of the United States of America, decided to send a larger contingent that formerly planned in order to control the vast territory.
The AU summit also discussed the situation in Somalia where the Islamic Courts have taken power. President Sassou Nguesso said the situation is a “tragedy”, while the AU summit said it supported the sending of a regional peace IGAD - Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Association of East African countries) to Somalia. “We decided that the African Union with regional groups such as IGAD, must take the Somalia situation in hand. The African Union will support Somalia’s temporary government and we call on the international community to join us and at the same time to encourage dialogue in Somalia” said the AU President.
The AU also reached a difficult decision with regard to former Chad dictator Hissène Habré, exiled for years in Senegal, accused of crimes against humanity committed during the years of his presidency (1982-1990). Habré is wanted by the Belgian judiciary (Belgian legislation allows prosecution of crimes against humanity anywhere in the world), and has requested his extradition from Senegal. “We think we are in the better position to judge him and we will not shirk this responsibility” said Senegal’s president, Abdoulaye Wade, announcing that Habré will be tried in that country. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/7/2006 righe 40 parole 493)
