Sudanese govt slams Darfur rebels withdrawal from ceasefire committee

KHARTOUM, Jan 12, 2005 (SUNA) — The government has described as irresponsible conduct the declaration of Darfur rebel movements to suspend its participation at the meetings of the joint committee for the cease-fire and the talks in Abuja.

Sudan Liberation Army rebels gather near a base in the desert east of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state November 8, 2004. (Reuters).

Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement Wednesday that such a move of Darfur rebel movements did not take into consideration the necessity of speedy cessation of war and putting and end to the humanitarian suffering in Darfur as soon as possible.

He pointed out that since the outbreak of war in Darfur, the government has been searching for all the peaceful means to achieve solution of Darfur problem, adding that the government was keen to hold negotiation sessions and to sign a number of agreements with the rebels for the sake of realizing security and stability and patch up the rift in the social fabric in Darfur region.

The spokesman referred to the government efforts to enhance the economic and social conditions in Darfur in a time when the rebels are continuing their destructive acts against and targeting to the infrastructures, public utilities as well as the organs of security and order and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the spokesman said that it is high time for the international community to compel the rebels in Darfur to abide by responsibility, stop their manoeuvring and threats to peace in Darfur.

He stressed Sudan government commitment to continue serious participation in the efforts to reach peace in Darfur, despite the irresponsible acts of the rebels.