KHARTOUM EXPELS U.N. ENVOY TO SUDAN AFTER REBEL GROUPS ATTACK  SUDANESE MILITARY

On October 22, the Sudanese government called for the expulsion of the U.N. envoy to Sudan, Jan Pronk, citing Pronk as a national security risk to Sudan. Pronk's expulsion is related to two recent Sudanese military losses in Darfur during skirmishes with rebel groups. The BBC reported that the Sudanese military stated that Pronk's presence in Sudan "negatively affects the work of the armed forces."

Pronk wrote about the rebel attacks in his personal weblog, noting that the Sudanese military had suffered a significant number of casualties and a decrease in troop morale. The rebel alliance in Darfur, now known as the National Redemption Front, attacked the Sudanese military at an army camp on October 7th on the Chadian border, northeast of the village of Bahai. The National Redemption Front also inflicted losses on the Sudanese military at Um Sidir, north of the town of El Fasher. A large number of rebel groups are stationed along the Sudanese border with Chad.

Pronk also recently met with rebel leaders, an action which further angered the Sudanese government. Khartoum says Pronk is encouraging the rebels in their attacks by meeting with them, while Pronk maintains that he urged rebels to accept a ceasefire and return to the table to discuss the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). Only one rebel group -- Minni Minawi's faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLA) -- signed the DPA in May 2006. A more inclusive peace process is needed to bring all rebel groups to an agreement with the Sudanese government.

Unfortunately, the rebel attacks connected to Pronk's departure from Sudan are a sign of increasing violence. The rebel alliance is committed to an "all-out war" to fight against the Sudanese military, which continues to arm Arab militias in its attacks against Darfuri villages. Rebel groups believe they must continue their attacks on the Sudanese government in efforts to protect Darfuris due to the failure of the peace process and the absence of UN troops in Darfur.

Pronk is known to be outspoken on atrocities in Darfur, particularly in his comments directed towards the Sudanese government. In his blog, which he personally maintains, Pronk is often graphic in his descriptions about the situation on the ground and writes about sensitive information. Sudan gave Pronk until Wednesday to leave the country, and the United Nations has confirmed that Pronk will leave Sudan before that time. Pronk will head to New York for consultations at the UN.

Pronk's expulsion comes at a particularly fragile time in Sudan's relationship with the UN, as Khartoum has prevented the deployment of UN peacekeepers to the Darfur region. The expulsion of a UN envoy is an unusual occurrence, despite the troubled nature of relations with Sudan.

+ DARFUR RESOURCE CENTER
 

Updated October 23, 2006