United Nations approves sanctions on Sudan
Pakistan Times Monitoring Report

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council has voted to tighten its arms embargo on Sudan’s government and rebels, reports Inp.

The UNSC passed a resolution of forming a Council committee to monitor the implementation of the weapons ban. The resolution passed 12-0, with Algeria, Russia and China abstaining.

The Council Committee would also designate individuals who impede the peace process, constitute a threat to stability in Darfur and the region.

Also those who commit violations of international humanitarian or human rights law or other atrocities, violate prior embargoes, or are responsible for offensive military overflights.

The vote is the latest step in drawn-out Security Council efforts to confront the Darfur crisis, where the number of dead from a conflict between government-backed militias and rebels is now estimated at 180,000.

Perspective

Last week, the council unanimously approved a resolution creating a peacekeeping mission in Sudan.

The peacekeepers will monitor a peace deal that ended a 21-year conflict unrelated to Darfur, but the council hopes it will also help Darfur move towards peace.

The council must still confront the most contentious issue of all, how best to punish war criminals in the Darfur region.●