"Parties in Sudan need to show more political will," says Jan Eliasson
On Monday the UN Special Envoy for Darfur, Jan Eliasson, met EU foreign ministers to present a status report on the conflict in Sudan. Jan Eliasson called on the EU to work for an effective ceasefire and an international peace force.
Jan Eliasson.
"The security situation for the refugees in Darfur is unstable and varies from day to day. Before they can return home the parties have to agree on a road to peace," Jan Eliasson said after the meeting.
What was you main message to EU foreign ministers?
"That it is important for the EU to continue supporting the political process in Sudan. In addition, I called on them to continue their support for the planned international peace force led by the UN and the African Union. A third message was that the EU should work for an effective ceasefire in Darfur."
What is your major worry just now as the UN Envoy?
"There is still a lot of disagreement among the rebel movements. Moreover, all the parties need to show a clearer political will to seek peace. This particularly applies to the relationship between Chad and Sudan, which is getting more and more infected. We are now seeing the development of worrying military activity in the border area between the countries."
What is the next important step needed to get closer to a solution of the conflict?
"It is to start negotiations between the parties. For example, agreement needs to be reached on standpoints and on who will be in the delegations. At present there are five major groupings in the rebel movement and we hope they can agree a negotiating team."
What is the situation like for refugees in Darfur and in the border area?
"I can primarily speak about the situation in the refugee camps in Darfur that I have visited personally. You can say that the situation is unstable. At present we are able to provide food and supplies. But the security situation is very unstable and can vary from day to day and week to week."
What about the humanitarian mission being conducted in Darfur by the UN, the African Union, the Red Cross and other actors?
"It is a huge humanitarian operation with Sweden as one of the contributors. 12 000 people are working in the relief mission that is costing as much as SEK 5.6 billion per year. It is a gigantic and very complicated effort. I would prefer it being possible to use the money for irrigation projects, schools and health clinics instead."
What is needed to bring that about?
"That type of long-term aid for social development can only get started when we have achieved political normalisation. To achieve that, the refugees have to be able to return to their villages and begin building up their lives again. We are talking about some two million refugees in a country with a population of 6.4 million."
