France Hosts U.N. Summit On Africa

by Jason Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

NEW YORK – World leaders met in New York on Tuesday to discuss plans to deploy a joint African Union (AU) – United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force into Darfur, a region torn by years of violence and instability.  The meeting was hosted by France at the UN headquarters in New York City, and it included participants from all over the world.   

The central goal of the meeting was to develop a cooperative partnership between the EU and the AU that will work towards ending the ongoing violence in Africa.  As a result of the meeting, plans are now underway to send 26,000 UN peacekeeping troops to combat the fighting taking place in the western Sudan.  Additionally, the EU will assist the AU in providing military aid to civilians in Chad and the Central African Republic that have been affected by the ongoing war in Darfur.   

There are approximately 400,000 refugees that have been displaced by the conflict in the region. 

In addition to increasing troop levels in the war-torn region, world leaders also noted that lasting peace requires that another element be added to the region: international justice.   

Richard Dicker, the Director of International Justice at Human Rights Watch, commented that “Justice is an indispensable part of lasting peace and security…Ending impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity is crucial to building the rule of law and avoiding cycles of violence.  It also sends the message to would-be perpetrators that no one is above the law.” 

One man targeted for justice is Joseph Kony, the leader of Uganda’s rebel Lord’s Resistance Army.  He stands accused of facilitating murder, kidnapping, and slavery. 

Most notably, this meeting reflects a new partnership between the EU and AU that has never before existed.  It represents an unprecedented opportunity for these nations to work together to achieve the common goal of peace throughout Africa. 

For more information, please see:

The Boston Globe (AP) – France To Host U.N. Africa Summit – 5 September 2007

AP – Leaders Meet On Africa At U.N. – 26 September 2007

Human Rights Watch – UN: Summit On Africa Should Not Overlook Justice – 25 September 2007