U.S Ambassador condemns UN for not enforcing Sudan arms embargo

Details: Category: International; Published on Saturday, 06 March 2010 07:08; Written by The New Sudan Vision (NSV), www.newsudanvision.com; Hits: 13383

WASHINGTON (NSV) – United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Susan Rice, has blasted the UN Security Council for failing to enforce provisions of the 2005 sanctions that were meant to restrict arms entering Sudan after the war in Darfur was adopted as top security priority.

Dr. Susan Rice, United States Ambassador to the United Nations

“We know that weapons continue to flow into Darfur, acts of sexual and gender-based violence continue unabated and with impunity, military overflights and offensive actions continue,” Rice told reporters at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Ms. Rice’s reaction comes in the wake of fresh violence in Darfur, just days after the governemnt of Sudan and JEM, Darfur’s main rebel group, inked what many analysts have welcomed as the roadmap to lasting peace in the region.

The new fighting erupted after the SLA, Darfur other rebel, said the goverment lauched attacks on its postions around Jebel Marra. Reports by aid agencies working in Darfur put reprots of civilians displaced at 100 000.

Ms. Rice said the inaction on the part of the Security Council stems from ignoring experts’ advice and and recommendations and from lack of monitoring,and enforcing of Resolution 1591 which imposed arms embargo.

The ambassador had stern words for the UN, saying “When the council imposes measures, whether on Iran, or North Korea, or Sudan … those measures need to be fully and faithfully enforced. And in this instance, and frankly in contrast to some others, the level of commitment and energy behind enforcement is inadequate, and we’re working to change that.”

She is calling on the Council to act fast by finding consensus in odrer to reverse “major and frequent’ violations of arms embargo.

“There are many steps that the committee could take, including looking at the role of the private sector, including rigorous follow-up, to ensure that this [sanctions] regime has more credibility than it currently has,” she said.

Ms. Rice said that the Obama administration encourages efforts aimed at encouraging full implemetation and and monitoring of sanctions.

“We particularly are concerned about the importance of holding accountable violators who employ sexual violence against innocent civilians in Darfur,” Rice said.

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