Sudanese FM warns of rebel military escalation in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Jan 6, 2005 (Xinhua) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismail warned here Thursday that Darfur rebels could escalate military operations in the troubled western region as the government would sign a peace deal with southern rebels.

“There is information that the Darfur rebels have planned to launch military operations against the Sudanese government on occasion of a ceremony due to be held in Nairobi to sign a final peace agreement between the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM),” Ismail told reporters.

“The purpose of this escalation is to send a negative signal that peace in Sudan has not completed and that the Darfur crisis is still there,” the minister said.

Ismail added the Sudanese security authorities are observing the movement of the rebels.

The Sudanese minister noted that the government would like to send a clear message that “Sudan’s peace represents the Sudanese people and those who attempt to break it are swimming against its stormy current.”

He also called on those who are trying to obstruct the peace process to adopt dialogues instead of forces.

The Sudanese government and the SPLM will sign the final peace agreement on Jan. 9 in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Conflicts flared up in February 2003 between militia and local farmers in the barren Darfur region over scarce water and natural resources. Many people were killed in the clashes and more displaced.