Sudan Seeking To Coopt African Union

Sudan would love to be the proverbial fox guarding the henhouse. Sudan wants to lead the African Union.

Are you kidding me?!

Sudan has opposed peacekeeping operations and would be the equivalent of putting Iran in charge of the IAEA or the Saudis in charge of religious tolerance, etc.

The 53-member AU meets this week in Ethiopia to choose its new chairman among African heads of states. The spiraling violence in Sudan's western Darfur region, where the AU has 7,000 peacekeepers, is expected to top the agenda.

Many observers say al-Bashir is a party to the conflict and should not chair the organization.

Khartoum says AU leaders already agreed to select al-Bashir during last year's summit.

"African heads of states will have to stick to their word, otherwise what is the point for the AU to hold meetings and reach agreements?" said Sudanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ali Sadiq.

But several African countries — backed by Western nations — oppose al-Bashir's bid to become chairman despite the agreement reported last year, diplomats in Khartoum said.

Here's what it means for Sadiq. Your country is a massive violator of human rights, including genocide, ethnic cleansing, and have done absolutely nothing to stop the carnage for years on end. Hundreds of thousands have been killed in the Darfur genocide, and more than 2 million have been displaced. The Sudanese government in Khartoum has effectively aligned with the Janjaweed, the Arab fighters who have conducted much of the carnage and terror in Darfur, and as such cannot and should not hold any position of any authority until that changes. Sudan does not get the opportunity to co-opt international organizations that are struggling to deal with the messes you've created.

The AU has peacekeepers in Sudan because of the gross violations of human rights perpetrated by the Sudanese government. It is the height of hypocrisy to even consider allowing Sudan the right to head up an organization that is attempting to restore peace to Darfur. Sudan has opposed peacekeeping operations in Darfur and has turned a blind eye to all the violence in the region.

What exactly would anyone expect if Sudan assumed the leadership position in the AU? Does anyone expect the AU to continue its peacekeeping operations or would it be sent home by Khartoum. How many more will die to find out?