U.S. diplomat denies intention to destabilise East Sudan

September 30, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — U.S. Chargé d’affaires in Sudan, Joseph D. Stafford, denied accusations that his government intends to destabilise the fragile situation in east Sudan.

Following a recent visit to the region which is decried by UNDP as inhabited by “Sudan’s poorest people”, Stafford was attacked by deputy speaker of the National Assembly Samia Ahmed Mohamed who accused his country of inciting against the government and fabricating rebel groups.

After the hostile statements, Stafford met on Sunday with Sudanese presidential assistant Moussa Mohamed Ahmed who is also the leader of the former rebel group which signed a peace agreement with Khartoum in October 2006.

At the end of the meeting, the American diplomat told reporters that his country’s desire is to play an active and constructive role in the development of Sudan and eastern Sudan in particular.

He stressed that Washington has no intention to intervene in an inappropriate manner in the internal affairs of Sudan, adding he had a fruitful visit to the city of Port Sudan recently.

He pointed out that the U.S. government would like to cooperate through dialogue and consultation with the Sudanese government and the Red Sea state in order to fight poverty and promote development in the region.

Sudanese government regularly accuses U.S. administration of seeking to overthrow the regime through its support to Juba, rebel groups in Kordofan and Blue Nile, and international sanctions.

Last year Sudan denied reports about a new rebellion in the region following Khartoum failure to implement recovery projects in eastern Sudan the rural population still lack natural resources such water and development .

(ST)