West Sudan rebels contacts Chinese Embassy requesting direct negotiations

KHARTOUM, March 16, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudanese government said on Tuesday rebels had contacted the Chinese embassy and wanted “to open a direct line of communication with the Chinese drilling company that the two Chinese were working for to discuss ensuring their safety.”

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Najeeb al-Kheir Abdul Wahab did not give the firm’s name, Reuters said today.

“The rebels attacked two aid agency cars and abducted two Chinese technicians and seized their equipment including communications devices”, the minister indicated.

He added that the rebels had kidnapped the Chinese workers in the south of Darfur near Sudan’s border with Chad and the Central African Republic. He did not say which group had kidnapped the workers. Darfur rebels could not immediately be reached for comment.

Abdul Wahab said government measures restricting access to Darfur were based on concern for the safety of aid workers. Aid agencies say the restrictions have hindered aid distribution.

Two Darfur rebel groups have been fighting the government, which they accuse of neglecting the region and arming Arab militias who burn and loot African villages.

U.N. officials estimate that the conflict has displaced up to one million people, with more than 100,000 refugees fleeing to Chad. The government disputes the figures.