Sudan opts for military means to end western rebellion

Khartoum, July 24, 2003 (dpa) — Sudan is to use force to suppress the “outlaw” Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) in its troubled western region of Dar Fur, National Security Bureau head Salah Abdalla said Thursday.

He said the government was ending dialogue with the rebel group. Meanwhile Dar Fur Governor Osman Yousif Al Kibr imposed bans on supplying fuel, medicine, food and spare parts to the region.

Dar Fur rebels are demanding an equal distribution of wealth, power-sharing and democratic government.