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Sudan tells peacekeepers to leave Sudan wants peacekeepers to leave
(about 2 hours later)
Sudan says the African Union (AU) force that is trying to keep the peace in Darfur must leave the country when its mandate ends later this month.Sudan says the African Union (AU) force that is trying to keep the peace in Darfur must leave the country when its mandate ends later this month.
The demand comes amid growing concern about a week-old offensive by Sudanese troops in the remote western region.The demand comes amid growing concern about a week-old offensive by Sudanese troops in the remote western region.
A UN resolution passed last week, seeking to replace the weak AU peacekeeping force with 17,000 UN troops, was rejected by Khartoum.A UN resolution passed last week, seeking to replace the weak AU peacekeeping force with 17,000 UN troops, was rejected by Khartoum.
The UN has warned of a new "man-made catastrophe" in war-torn Darfur.The UN has warned of a new "man-made catastrophe" in war-torn Darfur.
Hundreds of thousands of people have died and millions been made homeless since 2003 in fighting between pro-government militia groups and rebels demanding greater autonomy.Hundreds of thousands of people have died and millions been made homeless since 2003 in fighting between pro-government militia groups and rebels demanding greater autonomy.
Since they can't finish and proceed with their assignment in Darfur... we're asking them, please leave Jamal Mohamed IbrahimSudan foreign ministry Darfur - on the brink Since they can't finish and proceed with their assignment in Darfur... we're asking them, please leave Jamal Mohamed IbrahimSudan foreign ministry Darfur - on the brink href="/1/hi/world/africa/5312264.stm" class="">Aid groups to remain in Darfur
BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says the unexpected announcement by Khartoum is a sign that it now plans to settle the rebellion by military means.BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says the unexpected announcement by Khartoum is a sign that it now plans to settle the rebellion by military means.
The government says it will replace the peacekeepers with its own force of 10,000 soldiers to the region, but the UN and rights groups operating in the region have expressed alarm at this idea.The government says it will replace the peacekeepers with its own force of 10,000 soldiers to the region, but the UN and rights groups operating in the region have expressed alarm at this idea.
The AU brokered a peace accord in May, but it was signed by the government and only one of the three main rebel groups in Darfur.The AU brokered a peace accord in May, but it was signed by the government and only one of the three main rebel groups in Darfur.
Since then, the violence has intensified.Since then, the violence has intensified.
'Disingenuous''Disingenuous'
AU soldiers are trying to police the region but they have a weak mandate, are under-resourced and number only 7,000 in an area the size of France.AU soldiers are trying to police the region but they have a weak mandate, are under-resourced and number only 7,000 in an area the size of France.
Their current mandate was due to run out at the end of September and the government says it should not be renewed.Their current mandate was due to run out at the end of September and the government says it should not be renewed.
"It is not the decision of the Sudan. It is indicated before by the African Union itself. They said that by the end of September, they will not be able to continue with their assignment in Darfur," said Jamal Mohamed Ibrahim, spokesman for Sudan's foreign ministry."It is not the decision of the Sudan. It is indicated before by the African Union itself. They said that by the end of September, they will not be able to continue with their assignment in Darfur," said Jamal Mohamed Ibrahim, spokesman for Sudan's foreign ministry.
"So we are just requesting now, since they can't finish and proceed with their assignment in Darfur, so it is up to them now to leave. And we're asking them, please leave.""So we are just requesting now, since they can't finish and proceed with their assignment in Darfur, so it is up to them now to leave. And we're asking them, please leave."
Alex de Waal, a Harvard-based analyst who has been advising the AU on Darfur, describes that statement as "disingenuous".Alex de Waal, a Harvard-based analyst who has been advising the AU on Darfur, describes that statement as "disingenuous".
He told the BBC the AU mission "specifically requested that the mission be handed over to the United Nations".He told the BBC the AU mission "specifically requested that the mission be handed over to the United Nations".
In July, however, the AU agreed to extend the mandate until the end of 2006.In July, however, the AU agreed to extend the mandate until the end of 2006.
An AU official told the AFP news agency that it had not been officially informed of Sudan's request and so could not comment.An AU official told the AFP news agency that it had not been officially informed of Sudan's request and so could not comment.
The rebel Justice and Equality Movement said that the government's decision was unacceptable as it amounted to a clear breach of previous agreements.The rebel Justice and Equality Movement said that the government's decision was unacceptable as it amounted to a clear breach of previous agreements.
'Confrontation''Confrontation'
Last week, the UN passed a resolution authorising a larger UN force to replace the AU troops at the end of their mandate, but the resolution required Sudanese consent - and has been strongly rejected by Khartoum.Last week, the UN passed a resolution authorising a larger UN force to replace the AU troops at the end of their mandate, but the resolution required Sudanese consent - and has been strongly rejected by Khartoum.
President Omar al-Bashir described the call for a UN force as "part of a comprehensive conspiracy for confiscating the country's sovereignty" in comments reported by the Sudanese news agency Suna on Sunday.President Omar al-Bashir described the call for a UN force as "part of a comprehensive conspiracy for confiscating the country's sovereignty" in comments reported by the Sudanese news agency Suna on Sunday.
Planeloads of Sudanese soldiers are now arriving in Darfur"Our decision is decisive rejection [of the UN resolution], then preparation for the confrontation [with the UN forces]," Suna quoted him as saying.Planeloads of Sudanese soldiers are now arriving in Darfur"Our decision is decisive rejection [of the UN resolution], then preparation for the confrontation [with the UN forces]," Suna quoted him as saying.
Fresh Sudanese soldiers have been arriving in the region, and rights groups, AU officials and Darfur's rebel groups report that on 28 August a new offensive began, with reports of attacks on rebel-held villages in Darfur.Fresh Sudanese soldiers have been arriving in the region, and rights groups, AU officials and Darfur's rebel groups report that on 28 August a new offensive began, with reports of attacks on rebel-held villages in Darfur.
Khartoum has denied reports of bombing raids on villages, saying it is merely conducting "administrative operations".Khartoum has denied reports of bombing raids on villages, saying it is merely conducting "administrative operations".
Darfur refugees, rebels and the United States have long accused the Sudanese army of backing up the Arab Janjaweed militias in a "genocide" against the region's black African population.Darfur refugees, rebels and the United States have long accused the Sudanese army of backing up the Arab Janjaweed militias in a "genocide" against the region's black African population.
Sudan has denied these claims and says the problems in Darfur have been exaggerated for political reasons.Sudan has denied these claims and says the problems in Darfur have been exaggerated for political reasons.
Last week, the UN's humanitarian chief Jan Egeland warned that "a man-made catastrophe of an unprecedented scale" loomed within weeks in Darfur unless the UN Security Council acted immediately.Last week, the UN's humanitarian chief Jan Egeland warned that "a man-made catastrophe of an unprecedented scale" loomed within weeks in Darfur unless the UN Security Council acted immediately.
But analysts say sending a UN force to the region without Khartoum's consent would be a virtually impossible task - and few options now remain.But analysts say sending a UN force to the region without Khartoum's consent would be a virtually impossible task - and few options now remain.