Sudan’s Bechir call Darfur rebels to work for peace
Nov 23, 2005, (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s president appealed Wednesday to armed groups in Sudan, particularly those in the troubled western Darfur region, to work for peace and security in the country.
President Omar al-Beshir gave the plea during a speech to the opening session of his ruling National Congress Party’s general congress in Khartoum.
“We are sending this sincere call for those carrying arms in all regions of the country, and those in Darfur in particular … and say let us work together for this noble objective,” he said.
Al-Beshir said he was confident the climate was right for the Abuja, Nigeria, peace negotiations to succeed. The seventh round of talks is to begin Monday, delayed by a week because the rebel Sudan Liberation Army, torn by internal splits, neglected to join.
On Tuesday, the United Nations envoy to Sudan, Jan Pronk, criticized the group for holding up the negotiations, warning the SLA would lose international sympathy if it obstructs peace efforts.
Meanwhile Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that western Sudan needs more humanitarian aid because of violent clashes in recent weeks that have forced some 15,000 people to flee their homes.
Thousands of people have arrived at Gereida camp in South Darfur state after recent fighting forced people to flee more than 20 villages, said the ICRC.
“It is of urgent importance that all those involved in hostilities comply with the rules of international humanitarian law so as to spare the population additional suffering and fear,” the group said in a statement. “The ICRC calls on the parties to the conflict to exercise restraint and to refrain from indiscriminate attacks.”
SLA Secretary-General Mustafa Mohamed Tairab on Friday alleged that the government begins such attacks whenever peace talks were about to begin.
“They have already started attacks in South Darfur, and the international community has to press on the government to refrain from such practices,” Tairab told The Associated Press by telephone from the South Darfur town of Muhajiriya.
The government also accuses the rebels of initiating attacks ahead of peace talks, complaining they want to embarrass the government and make it look guilty.
But in his Wednesday speech, al-Beshir said his government will cooperate with the various parties concerned with the Darfur conflict and work to achieve peace.
“The main objectives of the National Congress … are to find a final solution that would end the suffering of the people in Darfur and restore their lives and allow them to live in peace and in harmony, ” the president said.
The Darfur conflict began in February 2003 when rebel groups took up arms against the government, accusing it of neglect and repression of Sudanese of African origin. The government is accused of supporting a counterinsurgency led by an Arab militia group.
The United Nations estimates that 180,000 people have died in the conflict, mainly through famine and disease. Several million more have either fled into neighboring Chad or other parts of Sudan.
(AP/ST)