Sudan’s SPLM distances its self from Darfur UN rejection
July 1, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The political partner of the Sudanese ruling party confirmed yesterday its support for UN force takeover in Darfur region, marking its distance with the Islamist party.
The First Vice President and chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Salva Kiir indicated Friday his difference with the President Omar al-Bashir on the UN peacekeeping force to Darfur.
In presence of UN envoy Yan Pronk at the opening of the UN radio in Juba, Salva Kiir said that the SPLM has no objection to see UN force keeping peace in Darfur as it is the case in the South in accordance with the Naivasha agreement signed in January 2005.
Salava added that the National Congress Party is informed of this position and now we are not concerned by their rejection of the UN troops in Darfur.
On the other hand, the SPLM deputy of the secretary General Yasser Arman said in a press conference held in Khartoum Friday that the decision of the rejection of the UN force is taken by the National Congress party but not the national unity government.
Arman said SPLM refuses this kind of decision making. The National Congress has to take in consideration the opinion of the other partners in the government.
On the other hand persistent rumours in Khartoum say that the Second Vice President Ali Osman Taha who is since two weeks in “holidays” in Turkey is angry on the handling of Darfur file by al-Bashir.
(ST)