African Union Supports U.N. Operation in Darfur

United States working with U.N. Security Council for peacekeeping mission

The United States applauds the African Union's decision to support the transition of peacekeeping operations in the Darfur region of Sudan to a United Nations peacekeeping operation, the State Department announced in a March 10 statement.

Although the African Union Mission in Sudan has provided "initial stabilization and reduced large-scale organized violence", the United States is continuing to work with the U.S. Security Council for the authorization of a U.N. peacekeeping mission, the statement said. (See related article.)

"The United States will work with our international partners to strengthen and support the African Union peacekeeping mission in the interim period," according to the statement.

Recent discussions by Deputy Secretary Robert B. Zoellick in Europe with Sudan and African Union mediators cited "huge challenges" facing the world community while Darfur remains in crisis. (See related article.)

"President Bush has made resolving the Darfur crisis a top priority, and the United States has been working hard with all parties to promote peace, security and reconciliation," the State Department said.

For additional information on U.S. policy, see Darfur Humanitarian Emergency and Partnership for a Better Life.

Following is the text of the statement:

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U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman

Tom Casey, Acting Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 10, 2006

Transition of African Union Mission in Sudan to United Nations Operation

The United States is pleased that the African Union decided today (March 10) to support a transition to a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Darfur. The members of the African Union's Peace and Security Council have recognized the urgent need to improve security for the suffering people of Darfur, and we applaud their decision.

The African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) has been a success, providing initial stabilization and reducing large-scale organized violence. The United States will now work in the United Nations Security Council to push for authorization of a United Nations peacekeeping mission as soon as possible, with African troops at its core and under African leadership. We will simultaneously work closely with Sudan's Government of National Unity and our African and European partners to energize the African Union-mediated Darfur peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria. There is no time to waste. People are suffering and dying in Darfur, while millions are at risk as the security situation deteriorates.

President Bush has made resolving the Darfur crisis a top priority, and the United States has been working hard with all parties to promote peace, security and reconciliation. The United States supports and is committed to assisting in the transition to a United Nations peacekeeping operation within the framework of partnership between the African Union and the United Nations as soon as possible. Discussions held by Deputy Secretary Robert B. Zoellick this week in Europe with many of the parties and the African Union mediators highlighted the opportunity to make significant progress in the Abuja peace talks in the near future.

As the United States works to authorize and deploy a United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur, we will work with our international partners to strengthen and support the African Union peacekeeping mission in the interim period.

Source: U.S. Department of State

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