Rebels ties with South Sudan prevent them from peace: official
April 21, 2016 (KHARTOUM) -The Sudanese government Thursday said the links of rebel groups with the South Sudanese government prevent them from joining peace process.
“The relationship of the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N) with the South Sudan -as a part of the SPLA – hampers their ability to take the right decision and join the peace process,” said the Head of the Darfur Peace Follow-up Office, Amin Hassan Omer during the meeting.
“How is it possible that the army in South Sudan still called Sudan People’s Liberation Army but not the South Sudan people’s Liberation Army?,” Omer stressed.
He further pointed out that some countries and organizations do not see nothing wrong in the presence of foreign forces fighting in South Sudan (as Darfur rebels), and at the same time consider a crime the presence of foreign forces in other countries.
Sudanese government last month signed a roadmap for peace in the country brokered by the African Union mediation team. But the opposition groups rejected the plan.
Khartoum also last March closed the border with the South Sudan, accusing Juba government of continuing to provide their former comrades with weapons and ammunition.
For his part, the Undersecretary for foreign ministry Abdel Ghani al Naeem wondered about the U.S. position on the administrative referendum and the situation in Darfur
“All what the U.S. administration found to say, is to issue a negative statement after the start of the referendum process, claiming the weak voter registration.”
The Under-secretary stressed that the claim differs from reality as 90% of Darfur voters have registered to vote, adding this percentage rarely occurs in the U.S. and many other countries.
Also, al Naeem criticized the hybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur (UNAMID) because of its high financial expenses.
He Pointed out that the UNAMID spending in Sudan reach $ 1.3 billion per year, and it will reach $13b next year which is its 10th year since it came to Darfur.
“A small fraction of this money is sufficient to make an unprecedented development boom in Darfur,” he said.
He claimed that the situation in Darfur is at its best after the improvement of security and the region is now free of rebels. he added that children will return back to schools after long years, particularly in Jebel Marra area.
He told the foreign diplomat, the Roadmap Agreement includes important issues on its top is the humanitarian access, comprehensive cessation of hostilities, and peace talks.
The Sudanese diplomat asserted that the government is keen to hold an inclusive national dialogue and peace process.
(ST)