Sudan To Administer HIV Tests to All African Union Soldiers Entering Country, Will Not Allow HIV-Positive Soldiers To Enter

Sudan will require soldiers from the African Union, which has been tasked with monitoring a ceasefire in the country's Darfur region, to provide a certificate proving they are not HIV-positive or undergo HIV testing, AFP/Sudan Tribune reports. Sudanese Health Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said that the policy is "purely precautionary" and aimed at "safeguarding the health" of the people in Darfur, according to the Sudanese Media Center, AFP/Tribune reports. Tayeb Mustafa of the ruling National Congress Party criticized the government for allowing a contingent of 150 Rwandan troops to enter Darfur in August without health certificates. The African Union plans to deploy more than 3,000 troops from about five countries to Darfur over the next few weeks (AFP/Sudan Tribune, 10/27).