EU: ‘Not enough done in Sudan’

BRUSSELS – The European Union still holds to its threats of sanctions against Sudan for failing to take adequate steps to disarm pro-government militias, the bloc’s foreign ministers were set to announce yesterday.

The UN Security Council threatened on July 30 to consider imposing unspecified sanctions on Sudan if it failed within 30 days to improve security in Darfur and disarm Janjaweed militias accused of atrocities in the vast region of western Sudan. Foreign ministers meeting in Brussels were set to conclude that the government had not done enough.”The council (of foreign ministers) concludes that there is no indication that the government of Sudan has taken real and verifiable steps to disarm and neutralise these militia and the Janjaweed,” said draft conclusions set to be approved by the ministers, according to an EU diplomat.”Contrary to various announcements by the government of Sudan there are reports about continuing massive and severe human rights violations by the armed militia, including systematic rape of women.”Ministers were set to announce “appropriate measures, which could include sanctions, against the government of Sudan…if no tangible progress is achieved,” the EU diplomat said.- Nampa-ReutersForeign ministers meeting in Brussels were set to conclude that the government had not done enough.”The council (of foreign ministers) concludes that there is no indication that the government of Sudan has taken real and verifiable steps to disarm and neutralise these militia and the Janjaweed,” said draft conclusions set to be approved by the ministers, according to an EU diplomat.”Contrary to various announcements by the government of Sudan there are reports about continuing massive and severe human rights violations by the armed militia, including systematic rape of women.”Ministers were set to announce “appropriate measures, which could include sanctions, against the government of Sudan…if no tangible progress is achieved,” the EU diplomat said.- Nampa-Reuters