Conditions Worsen in Sudan

The Sudanese government in Khartoum is demanding that the African Union force operating in Darfur withdraw.

Sudan said Monday that the African Union has no right to transfer its peacekeeping mission in Darfur to the United Nations and must withdraw its troops from the western region by month's end.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Jamal Ibrahim said that the AU had indicated that it could not continue its presence in Darfur beyond Sept. 30.

''If they are unable to continue with their assignment in Darfur beyond Sept. 30, then they have to leave before that date. At the same time, they have no right to transfer this assignment to the U.N. or any other body. This right rests only with the government of the Sudan,'' he said.

Khartoum has willingly turned a blind eye to the genocide in Darfur, and has permitted the violence to persist. More than 270,000 people have been killed, and 2 million people displaced as a result of the violence.

The AU has about 7,000 troops in the region, but they are undermanned to deal with the humanitarian crisis. The Sudanese government contends that the AU cannot transfer its obligations to the UN. Well, if the UN cannot deal with this issue, no one will. And the wholesale slaughter will continue.