Sudan’s Taha accuses Turabi party of stocking Darfur conflict
August 10, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Vice President and Secretary General of Sudanese Islamic Movement lashed out at the party of Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi accusing it of being behind war in Darfur. He also said Bashir’s call for the unity of national ranks wasn’t directed to them.
Taha who is known for his animosity to the Popular Congress Party (PCP) and his leadership, accused Turabi’s party of stocking war in Darfur and sending their cadres to manage the war in the troubled region.
The PCP members “ignited the war in Darfur and turned it from conflict between tribes into conflict against the state, and they have sent cadres to manage the war” said Taha in his first direct attack against their former comrades and partners who split in 1999 following differences over the way forward to maintain the party in power.
He said they deserve to be sued because they are responsible for war, destruction, displacement and disruption of development in Darfur, Taha added with unprecedented vehemence.
These virulent statements come after statements by PCP leader who turned down Bashir’s call to reunite the Sudanese Islamists. Hassan al-Turabi termed Bashir call for reunification of Islamic movement as an attempt to mobilize “religious feelings” to generate popular support after his indictment by the International Criminal Court last July.
Taha denied that the NCP begs unity with the PCP saying “We did not flirt the People’s Congress. The PCP is no longer considered by the movement as Islamic issue that merits to stop on or to lend it a hand to return or to unite with them.”
In a press statement issued on July 16, the PCP voiced opposition to the indictment of president Bashir by the ICC prosecutor and urged the government to hold talks with the non signatory rebel groups to end Darfur conflict; it also said all the responsible of Darfur crimes must be tried by the Sudanese judges.
(ST)