Sudanese govt asserts keenness to find peaceful solution for Darfur problem
KHARTOUM, May 10, 2004 (SUNA) — The government has reiterated its keenness to achieve a lasting peaceful solution for the problem of Darfur as well as normalization of the situation and maintaining stability there.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday explained that the Ministry followed the deliberations of the Security Council last Friday regarding the issue of Darfur, and agreed with the content of the reports presented by the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), James Morris, and the acting UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Bertrand Ramcharan, which stated that the rebels were the first party which instigated the crisis of Darfur.
The statement stressed the concern of the government with the remarks and points included in the report of the humanitarian mission for Darfur, led by the WFP Executive Director.
The Ministry’s Statement described the report of the human rights mission on Darfur issue as based on hearsay claims and presumptions, pointing out that the mission said the government had adopted an ethnic approach in countering the rebellion, which was described by the report itself as stemmed from an ethnic base.
The statement pointed out that the committee failed to show the basic facts that the government was compelled after the aggravation of the rebellion to appeal on all the citizens to assist the Armed Forces to contain the violence and destructive actions of the rebels, referring to the response from all tribes, a matter which refutes the claims on the government adoption to an ethnic approach.
The statement also refuted the allegation on continuity of violations to human rights, affirming that the excesses reflected the regrettable tensions linked to the conflict and can not be described as permanent and continuing.
With regard to the protecting the people and enabling the displaced citizens to return home, the statement stressed the government’s determination to implement steps and measures which will guarantee the prevalence of security and stability as a prerequisite for the return of refugees and displaced citizens to their villages and homes.
As for claims on rape and sexual attacks, the government affirmed that they are categorically rejected and that they were basically contradicting with the values and morals of the Sudanese society.
The ministry expressed regret over neglecting the external economic pressures which are being imposed on Sudan, a matter which led to real developmental difficulties.