Gov. Bill Richardson asked rebel leaders in the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan today to agree to a 60-day cease-fire and engage in peace talks with the government, according to the Associated Press.
Richardson also met in Darfur with local government leaders, the commander of the African Union forces and people who have been displaced, the news service reported.
The commander of the troops told Richardson he desperately needs help.
“The force is too small to do the job we are doing,” Maj. Gen. Luke Aprezi said, according to the news service. “We need to be enhanced. We need more troops on the ground.”
Getting the government to accept a U.N. peacekeeping force is Richardson’s mission.
In his meeting with rebel leaders, Richardson said he has pressed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to agree to a cease fire.
“We all want peace,” the news service quoted him as saying. “We just want to bring it to you.”
A rebel leader told Richardson the government continues to arm militias, and said the rebels are not carrying out offensive attacks. That leader, Col. Abul Abdallah Isamail of the Sudanese Liberation Movement Army, said he would meet with the government if it will agree to the cease fire.
“When the government is serious, we have no problem,” the news service quoted him as saying.
Richardson will meet with al-Bashir Wednesday and pledged to report back to rebel leaders after that.
Update, 4:15 p.m.
In a news release, Richardson said the human toll of the crisis in Darfur is shocking. He visited a camp that is home to more than 43,000 displaced people, most of them women and children.
“The spirit and character of these people in the face of such personal tragedy is remarkable,” Richardson said. “When you realize there are 65 official (displaced person) camps filled with hundreds of thousands of people, you begin to see the true extent of this crisis.”
“From what we saw today, it is clear the situation in Darfur is deteriorating at an alarming rate,” Richardson said. “Every group involved in this conflict, the rebels, the U.N. and the (African Union), has an obligation to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and protect women from becoming victims of sexual violence.”
Richardson is scheduled to meet with Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir Wednesday morning before returning to New Mexico.
“Our first meeting on Monday was positive,” He said. “I look forward to meeting with the president tomorrow to try to make additional progress toward peace in the Darfur region.”
Here is a photo of Richardson meeting with people in the camp, released by the governor’s office:
Gov. Bill Richardson asked rebel leaders in the war-torn Darfur region of 