Darfur is an issue of marginalization not terrorism – SPLM envoy

June 7, 2007 (JUBA) — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has condemned today statements made by the Sudanese envoy to the USA portraying Darfur rebel groups as terrorists. A SPLM official said that Darfur is an issue of marginalization not terrorism.

The SPLM special envoy to Darfur, Rev. Clement Janda, censured, statements made by the Sudanese Ambassador to USA, John Ukec Lueth Ukec who is SPLM affiliated. “The SPLM has never regarded the issue of Darfur as terrorism; the SPLM regarded the issue of Darfur as an issue of marginalization”, he said.

Ambassador Ukec criticized on May 30 the international community for not treating the Darfur rebels who rejected the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) as “terrorists” as was agreed in Abuja, he said.

These statements have touched off an unprecedented outcry among Sudanese communities, especially those from Darfur who felt betrayed by the SPLM of whom Ukec is a member. The video of the press conference was widely circulated throughout web spreading outrage even among non-Sudanese who saw it.

According to the UN funded Radio Miraya FM, Janda also reminded the press that the SPLM office in Washington had already dissociated the movement from the position taken by the ambassador of Sudan in Washington.

He emphasised that the SPLM does not consider the Darfur rebels as terrorists because it is involved in the ongoing peace process and intends to hold a finding common ground conference in Juba very soon.

The Chairperson of the SPLM Task Force for Darfur told the reporters that the forthcoming conference in Juba is scheduled to take place on the 18th of this month. Rev. Janda said that the government of southern Sudan is currently making preparations to set the agenda for the negotiations in consultation with all the rebel movements and the National Congress Party.

(ST)