Sudan Orders UN Envoy To Leave Within 3 Days
Jan Pronk
The Sudanese government told UN Envoy Jan Pronk (Dutchman) to leave Sudan within three days time after he – according to the Sudanese government – was involved in psychological warfare against it. What did Jan Pronk do that was so terrible? He wrote on his personal weblog ‘that Sudanese army losses in recent fighting in northern Darfur “seem to have been very high. Reports speak about hundreds of casualties in each of the two battles, many wounded soldiers and many taken as prisoner.”‘
He added ‘that morale was low among Sudanese troops in northern Darfur and “some generals have been sacked; soldiers have refused fighting.”‘
Of course the UN actively supports Jan Pronk. Right?
Well… not exactly:
Marie Heuze, chief spokeswoman for the U.N. in Geneva, said she could not comment on the order but noted that Pronk’s comments were on a personal Web blog and “were not necessarily shared by the United Nations.”
Ahh, the UN: powerful, determined and strong.
2 Responses to “Sudan Orders UN Envoy To Leave Within 3 Days”
Disgusting. Yup, I’m just betting that the first thing on the minds of a soldier in the battlefields of Africa is what some Dutch guy wrote on a blog. Michael I bet you 5 Dutch chocolate bars that over 98% of Sudanese soldiers have not a clue to what a blog even IS.
(I know you’re not taking the bet, but hell, one can dream).
The only thing I can remotely see as a justification for the UN not supporting him is worry that the batty-as-a-belfry Sudanese goverment would throw the whole of the UN envoy out as an excuse and feel they must swallow their pride and dignity (whatever they have left) to be able to stay in Sudan helping what citizens they can.
Lynx: I am willing to accept that bet.
No please prove to me what the right answer is.
We are still awaiting a more, umh, lengthy reply of the UN, but this temporary one is a saddening one isn’t it.
Your idea could be true. However; the Sudanese government itself is dependent on the UN as well isn’t it? So, can it afford to throw the UN out completely?