(31 Aug 06 - RV) The U.N. Security Council voted today to create a United Nations
peacekeeping force in Sudan's Darfur region, despite the Khartoum government's strong
opposition. The troops will not be deployed until Sudan agrees. The U.N. wants
to replace or absorb an African Union force in Darfur, which has only enough money
to exist until its mandate expires on September 30th. The resolution calls for up
to 22,500 U.N. troops and police officers and an immediate injection of air, engineering
and communications support for the 7,000-member African force. But after many years
and a recent fragile peace pact, the people of Sudan are wary. Reverend James Alexander
works in Sudan for the World Council of Churches. He says though there is hope for
peace with this new vote, there is still much ambiguity…