Sudan abides by UN Security Council resolution to avoid sanctions, AL deplores
Sudan-UN, Politics, 9/20/2004

Concerned that the Government of Sudan had not fully met its obligations to protect civilians in Darfur, the United Nations Security Council on Saturday declared that it would consider taking additional measures, including sanctions, should the Sudan fail to comply fully the Council's July resolution or to cooperate with the expansion and extension of the African Union monitoring presence in Darfur.

Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Council said that to obtain full compliance or cooperation, "it shall consider taking additional measures as contemplated in Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, such as actions to affect Sudan's petroleum sector and the Government of Sudan or individual members of the Government of Sudan."

By its action, the Council also requested the Secretary-General to rapidly establish an international commission of inquiry, which would immediately investigate reports of human rights violations in Darfur, and determine whether acts of genocide had occurred there.

The UN Security Council approved the resolution at a majority of 11 votes while 4 countries abstained from voting on UN Security Council resolution 1564.

The Sudanese government announced its commitment to the UN Security Council resolution which threatens it of economic sanctions unless it speeds efforts to solve the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, west Sudan.

The Sudanese minister of state for foreign affairs, Najib al-Kheir Abdul Wahab, said that the Sudanese government considered in a special meeting held under the chairmanship of Vice President Ali Othman Taha that the UN Security Council resolution is "oppressive" and in contradiction with the resolution of the African Union to solve disputes in the continent through African mechanism.

He added that the "Cabinet announced its commitment to implement the UN Security Council resolution and the agreement signed with the UN Security Council secretary general on July 3."

However, the Arab League repeated its rejections of the threats to impose sanctions in Sudan. The spokesman for the Arab league Secretary General Husam Zaki said that imposing sanctions does not contribute to settling the crisis, nor push the sides to solve it, rather will be of an adverse impact." On September 14, the Arab foreign ministers announced " solidarity with Sudan and rejection of any partition of this country." They expressed rejection of "military intervention in Darfur or imposing sanctions" on this country.

Previous Stories:
  Khartoum accuses Washington and the rebels of foiling the negotiations   (9/18/2004)
  Khartoum accuses Washington and the rebels of foiling the negotiations   (9/18/2004)
  Darfur's rebels position decides the fate of Abuja talks   (9/17/2004)
  Darfur talks break off   (9/16/2004)
  European reluctance on genocide accusations in Darfur   (9/11/2004)
  Annan's envoy report commends the role of the Sudanese government in Darfur   (9/3/2004)

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