Sudan slams US diplomat for his intervention in “domestic affairs”

January 25, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The foreign ministry has condemned statements by the US envoy in Khartoum on the Sudanese government lack of credibility as main obstacle to Darfur peace process, describing it as intervention the “domestic affairs of the country.”

In an interview with Reuters published yesterday U.S. Chargé D’affaires Alberto Fernandez said a political crisis over stalled implementation of Sudan’s north-south peace deal and other unfulfilled commitments would directly affect Darfur peace talks due in the coming months.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry expressed its rejection of Fernandez’s statements on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and ongoing efforts to settle Darfur crisis and deployment of Darfur hybrid peacekeeping operation. The ministry pointed out that Sudan does not need to “his unwise view and advices.”

The Ministry also warned the US diplomat not to interfere in the issue of Abyei in the manner that he used and intended to cast suspicion on the state’s Presidency.

Fernandez expressed concern over the implementation of the CPA. According to the US envoy despite the progress made since the withdrawal of the SPLM from the federal government, key issues like the status of the disputed oil-rich Abyei area remain unclear.

“Abyei was referred to the presidency — is that going to mean a real solution … or is it going to be… buried in the presidency as was the case for the last 2-1/2 years?” he said.

The ministry also criticised Fernandez statement related to the obstruction practiced by Sudanese government over the construction of a new US embassy. Khartoum said Sudan’s missions in Washington and New York face many difficulties and their accounts are scrutinized and large amounts of up to tens of millions of dollars confiscated by the US administration.

They are now holding U.S. diplomatic containers of building materials and equipment in Port Sudan, saying the Americans should pay customs. Diplomatic shipments are customs exempt. “It’s a way for them to pressure us or respond to what they see as our actions,” the Charge told Reuters..

Sudan, under U.S. sanctions since 1997, has tense relations with Washington although both sides say they enjoy good cooperation on “counter-terrorism” issues. Khartoum hosted Islamist militant leader Osama bin Laden in the 1990s.

(ST)