UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson seeks increased international pressure on Sudan over its be-troubled western region of Darfur.
The governor of New Mexico Wednesday met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to discuss their recent efforts on behalf of the people of Darfur. Ban returned last week from visits with African leaders discussing the situation in Sudan and U.S. presidential candidate Richardson returned last month from a visit to Darfur.
Richardson brokered a 30-day cease-fire between three rebel groups and Khartoum, although one of the groups later backed out.
The governor told reporters after a 30-minute session with his "old friend" Ban, "There has to be continued engagement but I believe that (Sudanese President Omar) al-Bashir has in the last three months responded somewhat but needs to do considerably more."
Advocating greater U.N. presence, Richardson said, "There's got be somebody constantly on the ground pushing to get both sides together."
He said not only is a continued African Union presence necessary, but also the involvement of Arab nations.
"China must play a more important role," The governor added. "China and Sudan have strong economic ties and I was pleased that China made a statement that they were pushing for peace in Darfur."
Said Richardson, "I expect within a year or two President Bashir will realize that a U.N. force is needed in Darfur because there are not enough AU troops."
He said, President Bashir three months ago said no U.N. troops, now there is a hybrid force... Only 80 have arrived so the United Nations needs to expedite the other 120."
More than 200,000 have died and nearly 2 million have been displaced in four eyars of conflict in the region.
