The Sudanese defence minister, Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein, announced that rebellion in Darfur has receded, stressing the start of military operations in South Kordofan state.
In a speech before the parliament on Monday, Hussein asserted that security situation in Darfur is stable, pointing that rebellion in the region is confined to two areas only in the far north of North Darfur state and Wadi Hawar.
He emphasised that the rest of Darfur region is free of rebellion but acknowledged that tribal conflicts negatively affect stability of several states in the restive region.
Last Week, the United Nations expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Darfur and its impact on civilians and relief efforts.
The head of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), Tijani El-Sissi warned against the rapidly deteriorating security situation in North and South Darfur states and said that insecurity in North and South Darfur hampers the implementation of peace and development projects.
Following the closed-door session, several MPs said the defence minister told them that the Chadian government embarked on withdrawing its troops participating in the joint force from Darfur.
Hussein defended the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia which is accused by international organisations and rights groups of committing crimes against civilians and burning villages in Darfur, saying the RSF is a highly disciplined and professional force.
He denied that RSF attacked any village in Darfur, saying the ordinary citizens are satisfied with their activities because they often assist them and offer services.
Last March, the head of Darfur’s joint peacekeeping mission (UNAMID), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, slammed in a speech he delivered at Um Jaras peace forum the attacks by SRF militia on camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur.
The SRF militia, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilised by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan’s western region of Darfur in 2003.
That counter-insurgency campaign, which mainly targeted ethnic groups on account of their affiliation to the insurgents, has led to the death of approximately 300,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.7 million, according to United Nation figures.
sudantribune
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