Monday, January 29, 2007

A Glimmer Of Hope

Today, the Associated Press reported that Ghana was elected to chair the African Union over Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.

Al-Bashir was to be elected president, but the deal rode on the the promise that he would aid peace in Darfur. While a peace agreement was signed in May of 2006, violence has only escalated. Al-Bashir has repeatedly refused UN Peacekeepers to aid the burdened AU troops who are met with contempt by many of the factions involved.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon strongly urged that African leaders end the deadlock that has prevented much needed assistance from UN peacekeeping forces. It appears that perhaps the African heads of state may be open to such action. President John Kufuor of Ghana was elected to chair the African Union by consensus vote.

Michele L. Langlo

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