Rebel groups are no longer in Darfur: Bashir
April 1, 2016 (EL-FASHER) – Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir said that Darfur rebel groups have no presence in the region and described them as “mercenaries” who fight for money in Libya and South Sudan.
He stressed that Jebel Marra area has been “cleaned” of any rebels, saying Darfur would soon be declared a region free of rebellion.
Clashes are taking place in the massif of Jebel Marra since mid-January between the government troops and the Abdel Wahid faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA/AW). Earlier this month the Sudanese army said in control of northern Jabel Marra.
But the rebels are still resisting in other sectors while Khartoum seems determined to clear the whole area from any rebel presence.
The Sudanese army has been fighting a group of armed movements in the restive region since 2003.
The Sudanese President vowed to disarm tribal militias in two phases, pointing they would collect weapons voluntarily in exchange for financial compensation before they resort to law to implement the move.
Last December, the government said it has completed the first stage of a plan aimed at collecting heavy weapons from the troubled region.
The minister of interior Ismat Abdel Rahman, told the Sudanese parliament that the proliferation of armaments in Darfur remains “a security worry”. He further pointed that millions of small arms are in the hands of Darfur citizens.
Observers say the disarmament of tribal militias wouldn’t be an easy task particularly as some Arab tribal militias which now constitute the main source of insecurity in the region are allies of the Sudanese government.
DARFUR REFERENDUM
Bashir added that Darfur people are free to decide the administrative future of the region in the upcoming referendum, saying his government is committed to adopt their choice without imposing any view.
Darfur residents are called to vote from 11 to 13 April on whether or not the region will keep its five states or reunite as one entity with a semi-autonomous administration.
He pointed that the registration rate for the referendum has reached 100%, urging the residents to vote in order to decide their future.
“We want a minimum turnout of 3 million voters,” he added.
While several Darfurian parties and groups call to maintain the current administrative territorial division, the head of Darfur Regional Authority Tijani al-Sissi called last week to reunite the five states under one administrative entity.
The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) calls to vote in favour of the five states.
Also, armed and political opposition groups are opposed to the vote saying achieving peace is the priority.
The Sudanese President further said his government has ambitious plans for the renaissance of Darfur, saying the implementation of those plans needs patience.
“My cane is not the cane of Prophet Moses, it is the cane of Omer al-Bashir,” he said.
He pledged to provide the basic health, education, and clean water services, promising to visit Darfur upon the completion of the ongoing services and development projects.
It is noteworthy that Bashir has arrived in El-Fasher on Friday at the start of a three-day visit to Darfur’s states ahead of the administrative referendum.
(ST)