Sudan’s Umma party warns of worsening conflict across the country
November 28, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The opposition National Umma Party (NUP) in Sudan has warned that recent security developments in the country and the changes in the military map paint a grim picture of what lies ahead.
This includes five states in Darfur, three states in Kordofan and the Blue Nile state, as well as tensions near the borders of the White Nile state and Abyei, the NUP said.
The opposition party stressed that resorting to force in order to deal with political conflicts will not solve the issue.
The NUP also pointed out that despite the country being on the brink of economic collapse, the government had moved large military convoys following a rebel attack on Abu-Zaid area in North Kordofan this month.
The statement disclosed that its delegation visited Abu-Zaid on 22 November and saw firsthand the “disastrous” results of war.
The delegation listened to Abu-Zaid residents speak of pro-government militias surrounding the city and carrying out arbitrary searches of their homes and looting properties belonging to ordinary citizens.
According to the statement, some residents claimed they were subject to physical and verbal attacks by militias.
The NUP has condemned the violence, emphasising that the solutions to Sudan’s problems do not lie in military confrontation, but rather in peaceful means and dialogue.
They also demanded that judicial authorities conduct a fair and transparent investigation into alleged violations and crimes committed in Abu-Zaid.
The statement said that recent security developments could lead to a civil war that tears the country apart, with the NUP calling for an immediate halt to war in all parts of Sudan and holding a national constitutional conference that would lead to the formation of a transitional government to oversee free and fair elections.
(ST)