Military leader of former rebel faction killed in South Darfur

June 23, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — A military leader of a former rebel faction was killed in the capital of southern Darfur by unknown armed men on Saturday.

An armed group killed the commander general the former rebel Sudan Liberation Movement’s (SLM) Peace faction, Bakhit Abdelrahman (Wad Furuj) while he was preparing to leave Nyala to organize his forces in the field.

Eng. Ibrahim Musa Madibo, the leader of the SLM’s Peace faction, expressed regret over this incident, confirming that he was leaving for Nyala today to make a follow up to the investigations which had already started.

Madibo did not wish to accuse anyone and will wait for the probe’s outcome. He further said he would contact authorities in Nyala through the investigation commission, adding that those criminals who have hands in the killing of the Wad Furuj would be known soon.

He urged swift implementation of security measures in accordance with timetables set by Darfur’s peace accord in Abuja and enlisting signatories in Sudan’s armed forces.

Madibo’s faction joined the accord 2005 while opposing movements will renegotiate matters with Sudan’s government within the next few weeks under the African Union’s patronage.

(ST)