AU to assess lack of Darfur cash,equipment

ABUJA- - The African Union is sending a team to Darfur next week to assess funding and equipment shortages hindering the ability of AU troops to bring order to Sudan's lawless west, the mission's military chief said on Sunday.

About 6 000 AU troops and police are trying to stop escalating violence in Darfur but those in charge say they lack the vehicles and communications equipment needed to operate effectively in the desert region the size of France.

"If you are supposed to move people with 20 vehicles and you are moving them with six vehicles, you can understand the problems," said Festus Okonkwo, the military head of the AU mission, in Nigeria where Darfur peace talks are taking place.