Britain denies Sudan charges it is stoking conflict in Darfur
KHARTOUM, Jan 6 (AFP) — Britain on Tuesday denied suggestions here it was stoking the conflict between the Sudanese government and rebels in the western Darfur region, adding it only sought to ease the humanitarian crisis there.
“The UK’s prime concern in Darfur is the worsening humanitarian situation,” Ambassador William Patey said in a statement faxed to AFP, adding that one million people were affected in what amounted to a “humanitarian crisis.”
The statement responded to a commentary in the official Al-Anbaa newspaper and other dailies accusing Britain of trying to internationalise the rebellion in the west to help southern rebels in their peace negotiations with Khartoum.
During peace talks in Kenya, the government and southern rebels have made dramatic progress toward ending their 20-year civil war. However, Khartoum has since February been confronted with a rebellion in the Western Darfur region.
“The UK does not support any party to the conflict in Darfur and has continuously called upon all parties to address the problems in Darfur through dialogue, to maintain a cease-fire and allow unrestricted humanitarian access,” Patey said.
He said his country had suggested that Chad be assisted in its bid to mediate in the Darfur conflict by a fourth party to help in implementation of any agreement by the feuding parties.
“We are not suggesting that the international community should be a party to the talks themselves but simply that the involvement of the international community in implementation of any agreement could help to address the lack of trust that currently exists between the parties,” Patey said.
“The UK has no separate political agenda in Darfur,” the ambassador said, adding that his government focuses on “the need to alleviate the suffering of the people of Darfur.”
He said Britain was willing to offer “our good offices” to help reach a peaceful settlement to the problems in Darfur.
Rebels in Darfur complain of economic neglect by the government in Khartoum.