As you’ve probably read already, U.N. envoy Jan Pronk has been kicked out of Sudan because he was too critical of Sudan’s government and army. Mister Pronk wrote on his personal blog that “that Sudan’s army was suffering defeats in Darfur and that its morale was low.”. The Sudanese government doesn’t like criticism so they told Pronk to pack his backs. Sudan’s Darfur region (an area the size of France) is currently in chaos, with some calling the killing occurring there a genocide. 7000 African peacekeepers are supposed to protect the civilians there, but they are underfunded and incapable of protecting pretty much anything. The UN is pressing for an international force of 20,000 troops to take over to stop the rapes and killings. Sudan is resisting such calls as it sees foreign troops on it’s soil as an attack on Sudan’s sovereignty. Sudan’s sovereignty? Wake up, you are incompetent and not capable of protecting your own citizens. Allow a UN force to restore security or do something about the situation yourself. Over 200,000 people are believed to have been killed in the conflict.
U.N. special envoy to Sudan Jan Pronk is due at U.N. headquarters Wednesday to discuss his future with Secretary-General Annan.
Pronk was ordered to leave Khartoum Sunday, after he posted an entry on his Internet weblog saying Sudan’s armed forces had been badly beaten in two recent battles with rebels in Darfur, suffering heavy casualties. The entry reported troop morale had sunk, and several commanders had been fired.
The weblog has embarrassed U.N. officials. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric last Friday emphasized that the views expressed are Pronk’s, and do not reflect those of the U.N. or Secretary-General Annan.
Dujarric Monday refused to characterize Pronk’s departure from Khartoum as an expulsion. He said the envoy is returning for consultations, and retains Mr. Annan’s full confidence.
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