Sudan says Obama labeling of Darfur genocide ‘a step back’

July 11, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government decried statements by the US president Barack Obama describing the situation in Darfur as “genocide”.

“When there’s a genocide in Darfur or terrorists in Somalia, these are not simply African problems — they are global security challenges, and they demand a global response” Obama said in a speech at the Ghanaian parliament.

The US labeled Darfur conflict as genocide in September 2004 during the administration of the former US president George Bush.

“It is a step back… it is not helping. It is not constructive,” Ali Al-Sadiq, spokesman for the Sudanese foreign ministry, told Agence France Presse (AFP), referring to Obama’s comments.

“We would like the president [Obama] to consult with his special envoy [Scott Gration] about this issue” Al-Sadiq said.

Gration has said last month that Darfur is witnessing “remnants of genocide”.

The US based advocacy groups criticized Gration’s comment while others said that Obama reneged on his presidential campaign responses to toughen action against Sudan in response to the Darfur conflict.

(ST)