Sudan concerned over proliferation of weapons from Libyan crisis
March 17, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese defense minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein on Thursday voiced concern over the growing risks associated with unrest in neighboring Libya particularly the spread of arms among ordinary citizens.
There have been reports that Gaddafi has utilized mercenaries from a number of African countries to help him crush the uprising.
Sudan has alleged that Darfur rebels are part of the mercenaries fighting alongside Gaddafi’s forces.
Hussein said at a press conference in Ndjamena where he attended the evaluation conference for the joint Sudanese- Chadian units, that his ministry is closely monitoring the situation in Libya and prospects of having army weapons fall into the wrong hands.
The top Sudanese military official pointed out that the conflict in the Western region of Darfur was mainly caused by spread of arms among citizens.
He revealed that a joint force from Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic would cooperate on securing the borders.
Statements by the defense minister reflect fears by Khartoum that rebels in Darfur fighting the central government could boost their arsenal by acquiring weapons in the midst of chaos engulfing Libya.
The Sudanese government has in the past indirectly suggested that Tripoli armed rebels in Darfur at some phases of the eight-years old conflict.
Sudanese officials blamed a failed attempt by Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to attack the Sudanese capital in May 2008 on Libya and France.
Separately the defense minister said that returnees from Libya have lost their jobs and source of income which would have negative social effect and economic effects.
He expressed hope that things would return to normal so that Libya can assume its role regionally and internationally.
(ST)
Kijana Bol Detion-Alier-Abiu
Sudan concerned over proliferation of weapons from Libyan crisis
Miliitary-Power-worship blurs political judgment because it leads, almost unavoidably, to the belief that present trends will continue. Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible. Thoguh History shows that there are no invincible armies.
people talks of enemies, but who is an enemy? you are an enemy to your self and to others. B ut the fact remain that no invincible armies. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
BOL ALIER-ABIU
BAIDIT BAISALAAM