Sudan accuses rebels of seeking to undermine normalisation process with South Sudan
April 14, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s government has directed scathing criticism to Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N), accusing it of seeking to undermine peace and stability between with South Sudan, and called for international measures against the rebel group.
Arnu said that the mortar attack on Kadugli was not aimed at subverting the process of normalisation of relations between Sudan and South Sudan. It rather comes in response to the aerial bombardment carried out last Thursday and Friday by the Sudanese army on areas inhabited by displaced people and controlled by SPLM-N, he stressed.
However, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Sunday, condemned Lado’s remarks, and denounced SPLM-N shelling of Kadugli and targeting civilian areas.
The statement said the attack is part of the SPLM-N efforts to undermine the process of normalisation of relations between Sudan and South Sudan, adding that such a behaviour would only prolong suffering and increase numbers of displaced people.
The local authorities in Kadugli have announced that Friday’s bombing caused killing of three people and wounding more than 10 others, besides inflicting substantial property damage.
The foreign ministry called on the international community to take the necessary steps to end threat posed by armed groups on peace and security in the region.
The statement stressed that the support the rebel groups receive from “certain countries” encourage them to continue their attacks against civilians and threat peace and security in Sudan and the whole region.
Sudan accused Uganda of harbouring and supporting rebel groups and lodged complaints to the African Union and other regional organisations.
Presidential assistant, Nafei Ali Nafei, in a speech in Gazira State on Sunday said that bombing of Kadugli will not affect the remarkable progress in relations between Khartoum and Juba.
He further described the rebel movements as “worshipers of Israel and Washington”, and accused SPLM- N of seeking to undermine the cooperation agreement between Sudan and South Sudan.
Sudanese president Omer Al-Bashir and his South Sudanese counterpart agreed on Friday to form a high level committee to finalise the normalisation process while delegations are expected to meet tomorrow in Addis to discuss ways to handle the presence of rebel groups in both countries.
The chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Legislation and Justice, Al-Fadil Haj Suleiman, told reporters on Sunday that the ministry of justice filed charges of attacking public facilities, killing civilians, wreaking havoc, and provoking strife against SPLM-N.
The Sudanese government recently informed the African Union that it accepts to negotiate with the SPLM-N in order to reach a peaceful settlement for the nearly two-year conflict.
The two sides failed in the past to implement a humanitarian agreement providing to reach civilians in the rebel held areas.
The SPLM-N and its allied Darfur rebel groups demand a comprehensive process to discuss the problems of the different regions but also the democratic transformation of the region.
(ST)