The United Nations has determined that Sudan failed to
implement its pledge to disarm the regime-aligned Janjaweed militia.
U.S. diplomats said the Janjaweed militia continues to operate in Darfour
despite a Sudanese pledge to eliminate the group. They said Janjaweed has
been teamed with Sudanese military units in attacks on rebel units and their
civilian supporters.
Officials said Janjaweed has joined Sudanese air force and ground units
in attacks in southern Darfour. They said that despite Khartoum's pledge —
issued under the threat of sanctions by the UN Security Council — to
dismantle the
militia, Janjaweed has been employed as a major element in Sudan's strategy
to
quell the rebellion and expel its supporters.
UN special adviser Juan Mendez, who visited Darfour in September, told
the Security Council that the situation in the western province was "more
dangerous and worrisome" than he expected. Mendez reported unprecedented
attacks against civilians in two refugee camps, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We have to consider whether the sanctions that are in place are working
or whether there are other steps the council should take, steps other than
talking," U.S. envoy to the UN John Bolton said.
Officials said the Security Council has not taken any steps to maintain
the ceasefire in Darfour since early 2005. They said many members have been
reassured that the AU could end the violence in the western province.
"We have got to decide if we're going to do something or sit around here
hearing briefings and issue another press statement and wash our hands for
another four to five months," an official said.
"It's an escalation of violence against civilians," Mendez said. "There
hasn't been any move to disarm the Janjaweed, not even a plan. No one even
talks about Janjaweed any more."
Mendez told a briefing earlier this month that Janjaweed remains linked
to the Sudanese
government. He predicted increased attacks against civilians unless
Janjaweed was disarmed.
"I don't have any doubt that a fighting force that has ties to the
government of Sudan is still operating," Mendez said.
Diplomats said the African Union has failed to stop the violence in
Darfour. They said the AU does not have the weapons, equipment or mandate to
stop Sudanese military strikes.
"We have assumed the African Union is taking care of business," Mendez
said. "In a way, we are setting up the AU to an impossible task."
Mendez recommended the bolstering of the AU peacekeeping presence. He
said the international community must also increase pressure on Sudan to
facilitate the AU mandate and cooperate with the International Criminal
Court.
"I am convinced that the government of Sudan is saying they don't need
the ICC and don't feel bound by the decisions of the Security Council,"
Mendez said.
