Darfur SLM leader hails African rejection of Sudanese candidacy

Jan 29, 2007 (PARIS) — Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Movement leader hailed the African Union election of the Ghanaian President John Kufuor, urging a swift deployment of protection forces to Darfur civilians.

The leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Abdelwahid al-Nur welcomed in a press statement the rejection of the Sudanese candidacy for the chairmanship of the African Union presidency. Al-Nur said this decision represents a strong condemnation of the daily killing of Darfurians committed by the regime and its militia.

Al-Nur urged the African leaders and the international community to put the protection of the civilians in Darfur among their top agenda items. “The priority must be given to stop the horrible collective massacres committed by the by the government army and the Khartoum backed militia” he said.

The rebel leader reiterated his rejection for talks before the protection of Darfur civilians. He argued that talks need to create favourable conditions and the most important is the deployment of international forces which allow for the safe return of all displaced and refugees.

Al-Nur said African leaders were aware of the lack of credibility of the Sudanese president who orders the attacks and promises peace and stability in Darfur to the international community. “The credibility of the government would be enhanced enormously if it agreed international troops to protect civilians in Darfur, monitor ceasefire and bear witness to its seriousness.

He added that this double rejection of the Sudanese candidacy to the AU chairmanship increases pressure on Khartoum to understand that regional and international isolation are the first sanction against irresponsible regimes.

(ST)