Sudan vows to restore order, stop rebel atrocities in Darfur

Nov 9, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government reiterated on Thursday that most areas in the war-torn western Sudanese region of Darfur were secure, vowing that it would exert efforts to stop atrocities of the rebels.

“The security is prevalent at 80 percent of the three states in Darfur”, Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs al-Samani al-Wasila told reporters.

The Sudanese official made the remarks only one day after the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said in its monthly report on Darfur that situation in the region remained volatile especially on the Sudan-Chad border where security was deteriorating.

Al-Wasila said that it was the responsibility of the government to halt atrocities being committed by the rebel National Redemption Front in some areas in Darfur and to protect citizens and humanitarian organizations operating in the region.

He said the Sudanese government hoped the Darfurian-Darfurian dialogue conference, which is to be held soon under the supervision of the African Union, would achieve success and make the Darfur people contribute to peace and development in the region.

The Sudanese official also reiterated his government’s refusal of UN Security Council Resolution 1706 stipulating the deployment of some 20,000 international peacekeepers in Darfur to replace the under funded African peacekeeping troops.

“This resolution violates Sudan’s sovereignty”, al-Wasila said, accusing some countries, without mentioning their names, of “attempting to compel the African Union to relinquish its responsibilities for realizing peace and security in Darfur”.

He affirmed the Sudanese government’s commitment to cooperate with the African Union and provide it with support for its forces in Darfur.

(Xinhua)