Darfur rebel leader slams US’s Negroponte threat of sanctions

September 23, 2007 (PARIS) — The leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Abdelwahid al-Nur, slammed threats proffered by US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte against rebel groups refusing to participate in the forthcoming peace talks scheduled next month in Libya.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said after the last Friday high level meeting on Darfur that those rebel groups which would refuse to participate in the peace talks would face “sanctions.” According to the US official “If an important rebel group chooses not to attend the talks “that should not be a cost-free choice,” he said.

Abdelwahid in a statement to Sudan Tribune wondered how an official from US Administration speaks about sanction against people who are fighting the oppressor to defend their rights and freedom.

I can’t believe that Negroponte statements represent the official policy of t President Bush who pledged to “support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.” Abdelwahid said.
He further said “I may dare to say it is an individual point of view.”

Al-Nur said such sanctions are directed against people who have nothing to loose and they are subjected since four years to the killing and the rape in daily basis.

“They also demonstrate every day in Darfur to make clear that they refuse a deal that would not bring them security and peace.” he underlined.

Yesterday the spokesperson of the group told Al-Jazeera TV that they are not intimidated by threats of sanctions because “our people have been subjected to sanctions for a long time.

In a letter sent to the UN Secretary General on 19 September, al-Nur reiterated his demand for the deployment of international troops to protect Darfur displaced and the disarmament of Arab militia before to start peace talks with Khartoum.

The rebel leader says he doesn’t trust Sudanese government which known for violating signed agreements. He says security in Darfur must be established to create conducive environment before talks.

(ST)