UN votes for Darfur peacekeepers

The UN Security Council yesterday voted to create a United Nations peacekeeping force in Sudan's Darfur region, despite the Khartoum government's strong opposition.

The vote was 12 in favour, with abstentions from Russia, China and Qatar, the only Arab council member.

But the troops will not be deployed until Sudan consents. The United Nations wants to replace and absorb an African Union force in Darfur, which has only enough money to exist until its mandate expires on September 30. It has been unable to halt the humanitarian crisis in the lawless west of the country, which the United States describes as genocide.

"It is imperative that we move immediately to implement it fully to stop the tragic events unfolding in Darfur," US Ambassador John Bolton said. "Every day we delay only adds to the suffering of the Sudanese people and extends the genocide."

The resolution calls for up to 22,500 UN troops and police officers and an immediate injection of air, engineering and communications support for the 7,000-member African force.

The measure, drafted by Britain and the United States, is designed to allow planning and recruitment of troops for an eventual handover.

The Darfur conflict erupted in February 2003, when non-Arab rebels took up arms against the government. In response, the government mobilised Arab militias known as Janjaweed, who have been accused of murder, rape and looting.

Fighting, disease and hunger have killed some 200,000 people and driven some 2.5 million into squalid camps.

Rebel groups have splintered and are now conducting similar atrocities against civilians.

Bloodshed has only increased since the government signed a peace agreement with two rebel groups in May and Sudan is planning to send some 10,500 troops into Darfur, which the West fears will lead to full-scale war.

Sudan's UN envoys refused to attend the meeting. In Khartoum, Ali Tamin Fartak, a presidential adviser said.

"Our stand is very clear, that the Sudanese government has not been consulted and it is not appropriate to pass a resolution before they seek the permission of Sudan."

Another presidential adviser, Majzoub al-Khalifa, told Al Jazeera television that the resolution was "illegal."

UN officials have warned of a catastrophe if help does not come soon. Jan Egeland, the emergency relief coordinator, said the people driven into camps are in danger from both pro-government militia and rebel groups.