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Sudan under pressure at AU summit Sudan under pressure at AU summit
(about 3 hours later)
The continuing crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur is set to dominate proceedings and headlines as the African Union summit opens in Ethiopia.The continuing crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur is set to dominate proceedings and headlines as the African Union summit opens in Ethiopia.
The new head of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, is meeting Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and says he will press him to allow UN peacekeepers in.The new head of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, is meeting Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and says he will press him to allow UN peacekeepers in.
Mr Bashir is also due to assume the AU chairmanship - but human rights groups say that would be an outrage.Mr Bashir is also due to assume the AU chairmanship - but human rights groups say that would be an outrage.
The instability in Somalia is also likely to be a prominent issue.The instability in Somalia is also likely to be a prominent issue.
Ethiopia itself has played the major role in ousting the Islamist forces that had taken control in Somalia and supporting the official interim government. Ethiopia itself played a major role in ousting the Islamist forces that had taken control in Somalia and supports the official interim government.
Ethiopia says it will begin cutting its force levels in Somalia, making a proposed AU peacekeeping force for Somalia an even more pressing issue, says the BBC's Amber Henshaw in Addis Ababa, where the summit is being held.Ethiopia says it will begin cutting its force levels in Somalia, making a proposed AU peacekeeping force for Somalia an even more pressing issue, says the BBC's Amber Henshaw in Addis Ababa, where the summit is being held.
'Aid breakdown''Aid breakdown'
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, visiting the summit during an African tour, says he wants firm commitments that Sudan will open the door to peacekeeping forces in Darfur. Meanwhile, Mr Ban, visiting the summit during an African tour, says he wants firm commitments that Sudan will open the door to peacekeeping forces in Darfur.
AU to tackle tough agendaAU to tackle tough agenda
Mr Bashir has agreed in principle to a joint UN-AU force, to replace the current overstretched AU troops.Mr Bashir has agreed in principle to a joint UN-AU force, to replace the current overstretched AU troops.
But no formal deal has been reached. Mr Ban says he will seek "a firm commitment to action". The UN wants to insert 22,000 soldiers.But no formal deal has been reached. Mr Ban says he will seek "a firm commitment to action". The UN wants to insert 22,000 soldiers.
Nearly four years of fighting in Darfur, between rebels and government-backed militias, has killed some 200,000 people, and forced more than two million to flee their homes. Nearly four years of fighting in Darfur, between rebels and government-backed militias, has killed some 200,000 people, and forced more than two million people to flee their homes.
On the eve of the AU summit, the biggest aid agencies working in Darfur warned that the humanitarian operation there is on the verge of total breakdown.On the eve of the AU summit, the biggest aid agencies working in Darfur warned that the humanitarian operation there is on the verge of total breakdown.
In a joint statement, they said that conflict was now worse than ever, with aid workers being increasingly targeted as they sought to help threatened Darfuris.In a joint statement, they said that conflict was now worse than ever, with aid workers being increasingly targeted as they sought to help threatened Darfuris.
DeadlockDeadlock
Amnesty International said Sudan's scheduled assumption of the AU chairmanship, while the AU was trying to mediate in Darfur, would be "a glaring conflict of interest", and would damage the organisation's credibility.Amnesty International said Sudan's scheduled assumption of the AU chairmanship, while the AU was trying to mediate in Darfur, would be "a glaring conflict of interest", and would damage the organisation's credibility.
Sudan's scheduled chairmanship has provoked loud objectionsSudan's scheduled chairmanship has provoked loud objections
Sudan was lined up to take the chair at last year's summit, but was passed over because of international pressure over its role in Darfur.Sudan was lined up to take the chair at last year's summit, but was passed over because of international pressure over its role in Darfur.
It was promised it would be given the chair in 2007, but correspondents say a diplomatic deadlock is again in the offing.It was promised it would be given the chair in 2007, but correspondents say a diplomatic deadlock is again in the offing.
Chad, which borders Darfur, says it will leave the AU if Sudan takes over, while one of the Darfuri rebel group said it would consider AU peacekeepers as enemies.Chad, which borders Darfur, says it will leave the AU if Sudan takes over, while one of the Darfuri rebel group said it would consider AU peacekeepers as enemies.
Officially, the AU agenda on Monday will be headed by climate change and scientific development, but the BBC's East Africa correspondent Adam Mynott says it is the other matters which are concentrating minds.Officially, the AU agenda on Monday will be headed by climate change and scientific development, but the BBC's East Africa correspondent Adam Mynott says it is the other matters which are concentrating minds.