Sudan halts negotiations with SRF rebels

May 27, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s president, Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, has declared halt of negotiations with the rebels of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and the armed movements in Darfur, and described them as “mercenaries and terrorists”.

Al-Bashir, who addressed spontaneous gathering in front of the headquarters of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) to express delight for restoring Abu-kershola, saluted SAF saying “SAF has never let us down. It has never been defeated or broken”.

Rebels extended last April their attacks to Um Rawaba in North Kordofan state before to redeploys its fighters to Abu-Kershola in South Kordofan on the border with North-Kordofan state.

In his unscripted address, Al-Bashir said “we would neither recognise nor negotiate with the traitors, infiltrators, mercenaries, and terrorists from SPLM-N or Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) or Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)”.

Earlier this month Al-Bashir himself underscored his government’s desire to pursue peace with the rebels of the SPLM-N despite their recent offensive on Um Rawaba in north Kordofan state and Abu-Kershola in south Kordofan state.

Last month, the first round of talks between the SPLM-N and the Sudanese government since 2011 in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa under the auspices of the African Union (AU) has adjourned without success in achieving any breakthrough.

The Sudanese president further noted that the alliance of the rebel groups, Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), is “nothing but a group of traitors who sold their country for a few dirhams [a unit of currency]”.

Tabitha Boutros, a state minister and dissident SPLM-N member and Tijani Al-Sissi head of Darfur Regional Authority and leader of the former rebel Liberation and Equality Movement were among officials who surrounded Bashir during his speech.

Bashir, who appeared in his military uniform beside his two deputies and senior government officials and senior SAF officers, was unable to continue his speech after 14 minutes and it was clear that his voice became weaker.

Late last year Al-Bashir underwent two surgeries on his vocal chords in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and was advised not to give emotive speeches.

LEGISLATORS CALL TO ANNIHILATE REBELS

At the parliament, Sudan’s National Assembly speaker, Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Tahir, has stressed the need for continuing fight to completely annihilate rebellion following army’s recapture of Abu-Kershola, calling for halting negotiations with the Sudanese People Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N).

The speaker’s statements came after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) declared that it took control of Abu-Kershola, while the rebel Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) announced withdrawal of its troops from the town to protect civilian lives.

Al-Tahir further said that Abu-Kershola’s victory wouldn’t bring mobilisation to an end adding “as if Allah (God) wanted to bring all rebel forces together in order to be completely destroyed”, he added.

He pointed out that some MPs have fought alongside SAF in Abu-Kershola, saying “I see before me some Mujahideen [MPs] (holy fighters) who are eager to join the battle”.

The speaker attacked those who spread rumours and discourage people from fighting and said that they misused freedoms and supported the enemy, adding “we must expose the fifth column”.

Tahir was referring to some opposition parties which didn’t condemn SRF’s attack on Abu-Kershola.

In wake of the attack, the Popular Congress Party (PCP) the Islamist leader Hassan Al-Turabi, refused to condemn the SRF and instead blamed the government for the events.

But last week PCP’s deputy secretary general, Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, stated that his party doesn’t accept recurrence of similar attacks in the future.

Some lawmakers also have demanded halting negotiations with rebels until SAF recaptures Kauda, saying “there should be no dialogue as long as our land is occupied”.

Kauda which is located 92 km to the east of South Kordofan’s capital Kadugli, is the stronghold SPLM-N in South Kordofan.

In the same context, the speaker disclosed that SAF’s law may be amended or a new legislation will be enacted in order to allow for raising funds for the military effort stressing that consultations between the parliament and the executive branch are underway to amend SAF’s law.

The parliament decided to deduct 500 pounds SDG from each MP as a contribution to support SAF.

Earlier this month, Sudan’s parliament suspended its sessions for a week in order to enable lawmakers to head to their constituencies and lead a mobilization campaign in support of SAF in its ongoing battle with rebel groups which have stepped up their military activities in recent months.

(ST)