Khartoum calls on US’s Rice to handle Sudan’s issues objectively
May 30, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Khartoum on Thursday rejected a statement by US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, about bombing of civilians in South Kordofan and called to take “impartial and objective” stands when she deal with Sudanese issues.
Rice further said that Washington remains concerned about the “violence and the complex humanitarian crisis” in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, “including and especially the ongoing indiscriminate aerial bombardment by the Sudanese Armed Forces of civilian targets”.
“Sudan’s refusal to allow international humanitarian access to the Two Areas is also wholly unacceptable”, she further emphasised.
Diplomats in Khartoum are very keen to react to statements made by Rice who is seen as a friend of the South Sudanese ruling party SPLM and a supporter to the Sudanese rebel SPLM-N, due to her old relations with the two movements, and because she was close to a group of Americans who lobbied in Washington for the South Sudan independence.
“It is absolutely not true that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) bombed civilian targets in the two regions, or in any other areas of Sudan”, said on Thursday foreign ministry spokesperson, Abu Bakar Al-Siddiq.
He added that SAF “provided a model of ethical and professional commitment” in the protection of civilians when it “cleansed” Abu Kershola from the rebels who held the area for a month.
Rebel groups are accused of killing over 45 civilians in the area for their links with the ruling National Congress Party. They are also accused of destroying a power station in another town in North Kordofan.
Saddiq further wondered why the U.S. ambassador did not condemn the “heinous humanitarian crimes” committed by the Sudanese rebels in Abu Kershola, as did Valerie Amos, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
He expressed hopes that Rice abandons her “unjustified” stand and addresses issues with “objectivity and fairness”.
In reaction to Bashir statement about the closure of the oil pipeline if Juba continues its support to the rebels, Rice on 29 May encouraged Khartoum to stay committed to the signed cooperation agreements, and to hold “inclusive peace process with the SPLM-North”.
She also called on Sudan and South Sudan to implement September 2012 agreements and to “respect each other’s sovereignty and bring an end immediately to proxy support of militia groups on both sides of the border”.
(ST)