07/22/2005

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Below is an excerpt of an article from IRIN:

NAIROBI, 22 July (IRIN) - More support for an expanded, better-equipped and better-trained African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) is needed to stop violence against women in the country's war-ravaged western region of Darfur, a relief organisation said on Friday.

In a statement, Refugees International (RI) said the United States should provide "training and support to countries contributing troops to AMIS on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse".

It urged the US to ensure "adequate funds for the peacekeeping mission are given, particularly for logistic support".

The organisation made the comments following a visit on Thursday by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Abu-shouk camp for the internally displaced in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.

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According to RI, wherever AMIS forces were present, violence had diminished. However, the force still has inadequate numbers and an insufficiently robust mandate to satisfactorily protect the women in Darfur.

AMIS currently has some 3,000 personnel in Darfur, but plans to expand the force to about 7,500 by September. RI said even that expanded force would be insufficient top protect Darfur's women.

"A recent International Crisis Group report argued that 12-16,000 troops are urgently needed in Darfur to provide adequate security," RI noted.

"The mandate, however, is perhaps more important. A clear and strong mandate to protect civilians is critical if AMIS is to be able to prevent Darfurian women from being attacked and raped," it added.