Sudanese MPs opposed to deployment of their troops in Somalia

KHARTOUM, Mar 27, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — Some Sudanese MPs have described as absurd the plan to send Sudanese peacekeepers to Somalia, the Mogadishu based Shabelle reported.

They said it was imprudent for the government to do so in the wake of the crisis in Darfur Region where peace keeping is necessary.

However, the MPs are not unanimous on the matter as most MPs support the deployment.

Abdallah Mohammed Ahmad, a member of the Sudanese National Assembly and Sadiq al-Mahdi, leader of opposition Umma Party, whom we interviewed on the matter said it was not the appropriate time to do so because of the prevailing insecurity in some regions in Sudan.

We also interviewed MP Isameldin Mohamed Yusuf on the matter and he said the government ought to consider the matter seriously considering that the African Union is currently sending its troops to maintain peace in Darfur Region.

MP Mohamed Safa’anle Hassan, a senior member of the ruling National Congress party declined to give his views on the matter but said the government will reach a decision on the matter.

Senior Sudanese military officers have been holding closed-door meetings on the deployment of Sudanese troops in Somalia.

Meanwhile, the Somali students union in Sudan said it is opposed to the deployment of Sudanese troops in Somalia. It warned if Sudanese troops are harmed in Somalia, the good relations between the people of Sudan and Somalia could be affected. The students’ union has submitted a letter to the Sudanese government asking it to reconsider the matter.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service