SPLM-N, NUP condemn alleged mass rape in Darfur, call for swift international action
November 9, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) and the National Umma Party (NUP) condemned the alleged mass rape in North Darfur and called for a swift investigation on the accusations of sexual abuse.
The charges of mass rape are a “violation of every national heritage and common conscience of the Sudanese people,” said Yasir Arman; SPLM-N secretary general and Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) secretary for external relations.
Arman further questioned the position of the regional organisations and the international community over the alleged sexual crime saying the mass rape in Tabit revealed the double standards of the African Union, the Arab League and the Security Council when it comes to deal with such allegations.
The international community failed to protect civilians in Sudan, and this is its role in accordance with the international humanitarian laws, the rebel leader further said.
He further alluded to the UN reports about the mass rape crimes committed by the Islamic State insurgents in Iraq and the international action against the ISIS.
“If the international community pays attention to the ISIS, (they should know that) the latter is governing Khartoum since 25 years” he stressed.
The SPLM-N secretary went to wonder how the international community considers the lift of sanctions and normalisation of relation with “the ISIS regime in Khartoum”, citing “systematic targeting of civilians” in Blue Nile, Nuba Mountains and Darfur.
Other SRF groups, the Justice and Equality Movement and the two factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur and Minni Minnawi condemned the alleged rape abuse and called for an international investigation.
The opposition NUP of Sadiq al-Mahdi condemned the “horrific crime” committed in Tabit saying it comes as a continuation of previous violations committed against women pointing to the attack by security forces on Zahra dormitory complex for female students in Khartoum last October.
The largest opposition party appealed on all the Sudanese parties and civil society groups to strongly condemn the “terrible abuse that contrasts with the Sudanese religion and values”.
The NUP further said the UNAMID failed to fulfill its mandate and protect civilians, urging the UN to send a special team to investigate the alleged mass rape and to present its findings to the UN Security Council to take the appropriate measures.
(ST)