Threats Against Chinese Engineers in Darfur

The United States condemns recent threats of violence by some Darfur rebel leaders against Chinese engineers in Sudan who are serving as part of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Approximately 130 Chinese engineers, who arrived in Darfur on Saturday, are working under the UN-AU-mandated peacekeeping operation.

We oppose any efforts to delay the rapid deployment of UNAMID. We urge the Government of Sudan to approve without delay the full list of troop-contributing countries chosen by the UN and the AU to deploy to Darfur. The Sudanese Government must meet its commitment to accept UNAMID peacekeepers and provide them with access to land and water, flight clearances and visas necessary to carry out their mission.