Security Council Imposes Sanctions Against Four, Fragile Peace Agreement May Resolve Darfur Conflict

An April 24, 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution imposed sanctions against four individuals suspected of war crimes in Darfur, while a May 5, 2006 peace agreement may resolve the internecine conflict. Unfortunately, two rebel groups in Sudan have declined to sign the agreement. On April 24, 2006, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution imposing a travel ban and freezing the assets of a senior Sudanese air force officer and three other Sundanese nationals suspected of committing war crimes or impeding the peace process in Sudan’s Darfur region. China, Russia and Qatar abstained from the vote, citing concern that the punitive measures could undermine African Union-led peace talks between Sudan and Darfur’s rebel groups.