Sudan’s SPLM renews its support for Darfur UN forces

Oct 4, 2006 2006 (JUBA) — The Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement has reiterated that the ruling National Congress Party should accept the deployment of the United Nations peacekeepers to Darfur.

In an interview with Sudan Radio Service on Monday on his way to Norway for an official visit, Pagan Amum said deploying UN forces to Darfur is the only way to protect civilians in the region from armed militias.

Amum also urged the NCP to avoid confrontation with the international community over the deployment of the UN forces to Darfur.

“We are calling on the national congress party to consent to the deployment of the UN forces and to avoid confrontation with the international community and therefore I take the threats by those leaders from the National Congress as inter-threat,” he said.

The SPLM Secretary General said the SPLM is committed to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Mr. Amum was reacting to a statement issued by the deputy chairman of the ruling National Congress Party Ibrahim Ahmed Omar that if UN forces intervene in Darfur, then the NCP will violate the CPA.

(SRS/ST)