Displacement in Abyei is a remake of Darfur – rebel chief

Wednesday 4 June 2008.

June 3, 2008 (PARIS) — Speaking about the massive displacement of civilians from the disputed Abyei, a Darfur rebel leader said what has been done in Abyei is a remake of what Khartoum did in western Sudan.

Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur

The International Organisation for Migration said 50,000 to 60,000 people had fled to Agok, 25 km south of Abyei, and neighbouring villages, while another 10,000 were believed to have walked south toward the town of Turalei.

Abdel-Wahid al-Nur the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement condemned the displacement of Abyei population saying “world have to think twice about dealing with the government of the National Congress Party.”

Al-Nur accused Khartoum of deliberately igniting violence in the disputed Abyei in order to change the demographic composition of the region and the settle Arab tribes to ensure its control over oil fields in the contested area.

The rebel leader further said what Khartoum did in Darfur with regard to the displacement of civilians and the settlement of Arab new comers from neighboring countries is now implemented in Abyei.

He said that this "Islamist government" extrapolated this policy to other parts of Sudan in order to ensure its hegemony on the country. He cited the forcible relocation of Kajabar population and the projected settlement of Egyptian farmers in central Sudan stated of White Nile.

Al-Nur added that the Sudanese government proves again through the non implementation of Abyei Protocol that it has no consideration to the signed deal and do not recognise the authority of the international institutions. "They just know the language of violence and not admit democracy because it will exclude them." He said.

The rebel leader also said the US envoy Richard Williamson had a very instructive stay in Sudan where he had the occasion to verify the true nature of the ruling National Congress Party.

He further exhorted the US administration particularly and the international community generally should learn from this experience that their current approach with Sudanese government has failed.

The U.S. has suspended talks to normalize relations with Sudan, U.S. and Sudanese officials said Tuesday.

(ST)

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