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Sudan Tribune

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Sudan vows to protect foreigners

July 13, 2OO8 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government vowed on Sunday to guarantee foreigners’ safety saying the upcoming International Criminal Court indictment would not affect the Western diplomatic missions and international organizations in the countries.

“As for those who are here in the different diplomatic organisations, we don’t think they are going to be under any pressure from the Sudanese citizens. Everything will be secure,” said Information Minister Al-Zahawi Malek.

“Their lives and possessions and all these things are secure. The Sudanese people are very friendly indeed,” he added when asked if Sudan could guarantee it would not ask UN officials or foreign diplomats to leave.

“We have this ICC resolution but we don’t connect it. Everyone here, while they are in Sudan, will be safe,” he said.

Western embassies have advised nationals to limit unnecessary travel and the United Nations has stepped up its security levels amid fears that the ICC’s move to charge the sitting head of state could spark violent retaliation.

Western officials fear Sudan could expel members of the UN-led peacekeeping mission in Darfur or aid groups. Contingency plans have been made for an evacuation and non-essential staff have been told to stay at home on Monday.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ali al-Sadiq said the authorities were stepping up security, particularly around the British, French and US embassies in Khartoum, and predicted “chaos” following any indictment of the president.

On Saturday, a government spokesman said al-Bashir’s indictment would be “disastrous” for the region and could affect the work of humanitarian organizations in Sudan.

Mahjoub Fadul Badry did not specify what actions might be taken, but there are fears the charges could provoke reprisals against international aid workers and the U.N.-African Union peacekeepers that are already experiencing difficulties in doing their work.

A U.N. spokeswoman said Sunday the peacekeeping force was on security alert but still relying on the Sudanese government for protection inside the country.

Some foreign staff not directly working on emergency or humanitarian relief operations could be “temporarily relocated,” said Shereen Zorba, deputy UNAMID spokeswoman. Zorba stressed that any disruption to humanitarian work in Darfur could have disastrous consequences.

(ST)

5 Comments

  • Anyopajot Kuol_agany
    Anyopajot Kuol_agany

    Sudan vows to protect foreigners
    Wind comes and goes! does it rotate or refresh?

    ICC, I thank Sudanese for their good expression by the minister for Information that they will protect foreigners.

    But if I were the information minister; I would rather suspend all the UN connected offices in Khartoum because you first apply your habit of allowing lost of lives and interfere at a later date whereby your assisance is hopeless.

    You learnt Sudanese are addicted to death since decades back while taking it a story which misled Beshir taking International community as a game played by children and forsure it is either you involve in business of wars or targeting different thing rather than helping human kind.

    Put an eye!

    Reply
  • Mr Point
    Mr Point

    Sudan vows to protect foreigners
    The presidential adviser should be removed. Mahjoub Fadul Badry told the Arabiyah news channel on Saturday that there would also be consequences if any humanitarian organisation operating in Sudan was involved in the indictment.

    As the arab media says : “The Sudanese regime could have avoided a lot if they handled the crisis wisely and in a humanitarian manner rather than stubbornness and challenging the international community” Tareq Al-Hamed, editor in chief of the daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat published in London, said today.

    Time for the NCP to face the facts. There would be no ICC indictments if the Khartoum government had been wise on Darfur, and other regions. But they only know to challenge and not to listen the opinions of others.

    Reply
  • Deng Akol Agut-tungdoun
    Deng Akol Agut-tungdoun

    Sudan vows to protect foreigners
    NCP WORDS ARE LIKE BIRDS BEAUTIFUL BUT CAN FLY HIGH.

    You must all know that here in Sudan there is nothing call save ground for the aid workers. Sudanese NCP like saying beautful words with no meaning. they are pone of violating this own laws.

    I tinks it will be very wise if the ICC makes this express. Otherwise the above vowed is just but curtain for lies only.

    Be Bless.

    Deng Akol Agut-tungduon, a man far away from tribalism.

    Reply
  • Deng Akol Agut-tungdoun
    Deng Akol Agut-tungdoun

    Sudan vows to protect foreigners
    NCP WORDS ARE LIKE BIRDS BEAUTIFUL, BUT CAN FLY HIGH.

    You must all know that here in Sudan there is nothing call save ground for the aid workers. Sudanese NCP like saying beautful words with no meaning. they are pone of violating this own laws.

    I tinks it will be very wise if the ICC makes this express. Otherwise the above vowed is just but curtain for lies only.

    Be Bless.

    Deng Akol Agut-tungduon, a man far away from tribalism.

    Reply
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