Political parties call for disarmament of Arab militia group in Darfur

By Al-Sahafah daily newspaper

KHARTOUM, Nov. 17, 2003 — The representatives of several political forces, including the ruling National Congress [NC], have held the government responsible for the situation in the greater Darfur State [western Sudan]. At the same time the Fur ethnic tribe has signed a coexistence agreement with Arab tribes in Jabal Mara, western Sudan.

The NC representative agreed with those of the opposition Ummah party, the Democratic Unionist Party [DUP] and of civil organizations at a meeting yesterday morning at Baladiya hall in Al- Fashir [western Sudan] on the need to disarm armed groups, particularly the Janjawid group [an Arab militia group].

The representatives of political parties said that, by Janjawid being allowed to remain armed, the social fabric has been dismantled and torn to shreds due to the killing operations, armed robberies and burning of villages which is being practised by this force.

The NC secretary in Al-Fashir, Mustafa Adam said the armed conflict in the state has brought about a fearsome situation. He pointed out that the collection of taxes and Zakat [alms] and the general life have been completely halted in the state due to the activities of this group.

For his part the DUP representative in the state, Idris Atta al- Bari, held the government responsible for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the state, and called on the government to stop backing the Janjawid group and to work seriously in order to solve the problems of the displaced people.

BBC Monitoring Middle East