Global Policy Forum

By Evelyn Leopold

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan told U.N. members not to use him "as an alibi" for their own inaction in helping 2 million people caught in fighting in Sudan's Darfur region. He said perhaps some of the U.N. agencies had been slow at first but they had taken risks to deliver aid to Darfur where Arab militias, at times backed by the government troops, have been cleansing villages of black Africans.

"We should avoid the situations where we allow member states to hide behind the secretary general, use him as an alibi for their own inaction," he told U.N. radio on its launch of a new program on Africa on Monday. "I think it is important that we work together and demand action by the Sudanese government and we pool our efforts to make resources available for the humanitarian activity," he said. "It's much better to act than start pointing fingers."

Earlier this month Hilary Benn, Britain's secretary of state for international development, said he was concerned "about the adequacy and speed" of the U.N. response.

Annan said he spoke frequently to Khartoum government officials and intended to visit the region shortly. "It was because of my pressure that they opened up and offered visas, not only to the United Nations, but also to the humanitarian agencies and have indicated they will allow supplies and equipment to come in unimpeded," Annan said. Last week Jan Egeland, the emergency relief coordinator, said the government was holding up visas for non-U.N. relief workers and delaying necessary equipment.

Annan said Khartoum had to protect its citizens. "But if the government can't do it, it should be prepared to ask for the help of the international community to assist them. And the international community must insist that these people be protected," he said."

The United Nations estimates fighting in Darfur has affected more than 2 million people. More than half have been driven from their homes, with 130,000 fleeing into neighboring Chad to escape militia that have killed, tortured and raped.

Annan also warned that any accord in southern Sudan, where rebels and the government are close to reaching a full peace pact, would not last unless the Darfur crisis were resolved. "You cannot have a comprehensive peace in Sudan without dealing with the situation in the west," Annan said.

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