Sudan blames European countries for receiving rebel leaders
Feb 18, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has blamed some European countries for receiving Darfur rebel leaders, the Sudanese foreign minister said this will give Darfur rebels the impression that EU backs them against Khartoum.
The Sudanese foreign minister, Lam Akol said some European countries are making wrong signals by receiving Darfur rebel leaders and giving them impression that the international community is backing them against government of Sudan.
Upon Receiving the EU special envoy to Sudan, Bekka Haavisto, who is currently visiting Sudan, Lam Akol pointed out that the EU did not live up to its role to put pressure on the rebels and to urge them to accept political dialogue.
The Sudanese president told a pan Arab daily last week “The elements that reject the agreement move with freedom in Western capitals and receive financial and military support … and due to this support have been successful in controlling the northern section of Darfur,” Bashir said. “Is this not a direct threat to Darfur and to security and peace?”
The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Ali al-Sadiq, pointed out that the meeting with the EU envoy reviewed the issue of the fact-finding mission of the UN Council of Human Rights in Darfur. The minister informed the visiting envoy that there is no option available for the government other than non-cooperation with the mission, on ground that the government reservations on the formation of this mission were not taken into consideration.
Sudan objected Guyanese Bertrand Ramcharan, the former deputy UN human rights commissioner, who was one of the six-member rights team. Ramcharan, who was acting high commissioner in 2003-04 at the height of the Darfur conflict, had referred to the conflict as genocide, a term Khartoum rejects.
The minister has asserted the government commitment to the agreement which was signed between Sudan, the UN and the African Union.
EU SUPPORT OF EFFORTS TO REUNITE DARFUR REBELS
The European Union envoy who is expected to meet Darfur SLA rebel during his current visit to Sudan has supported the efforts of the AU, UN envoys for reaching a peaceful and political solution for Darfur problem.
Bekka Haavisto called for a united front of non-signatories of Darfur peace accord to begin talks with Government.
During his five-day trip to Sudan, the European envoy would meet with the First Vice President, the Second Vice-President, and the Ministers of Defence, Interior and Investment.
(ST)