Sudan’s Bashir pledges support to CAR efforts for peace
May 7, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – President Omer Hassan al-Bashir expressed Sudan’s readiness to support the national reconciliation and dialogue process that the transitional government plans to hold in the neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR).
Nguendet said Bashir vowed to provide political and material support to facilitate dialogue between all political and social components of the CAR and to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by ethnic and religious violence in the country.
Following the meeting, the speaker of the national assembly, Fatih Izz Al-Deen, who attended the encounter, announced the departure of two airplanes loaded with humanitarian assistance to the neighbouring country.
Since the beginning of this year, Muslim ethnic groups have been fleeing the country due to attacks committed by anti-Balka militiamen after the resignation of former president Michel Djotodia who ousted president Francois Bozizé in March 2013.
The visiting speaker told reporters that the crisis in his country is political in essence and not religious as has been portrayed in the press, adding that Christians and Muslims have always cohabited peacefully.
“I’m from a family where Christians and Muslims live together in peace and harmony,” Nguendet said, adding that “Islam cannot be an obstacle to stability and peaceful coexistence” in his country.
He appealed to the government and the people of Sudan to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the CAR crisis, pointing to the large experience Sudanese people have gained in this field. He also praised the substantial support provided by Sudan to his country in various fields.
(ST)