Claims of Ethnic Cleansing in Darfur are "Fabrications"

News Article in Sudan Vision

24 June 2004

www.sudanvisiondaily.com

President of the Republic Gen. Omer Al-Bashir has affirmed the government's concern about effecting development in Darfur, pointing out that what had been circulated by some Western media on alleged existence of ethnic cleansing or marginalization in Darfur are sheer "fabrications and baseless."

In a meeting with press and media men at the Guest House Tuesday, President Al-Bashir stressed the government's concern about the conditions of the citizens in Darfur. The President pointed out that rebellion in Darfur ?would lead to deterioration in development and services in the country and increase the suffering of the people of Sudan, which saw the end of the war in the south. He stressed that the government will maintain security in Darfur

The President said accusing Sudan of slavery was an insult not only to the government but also to all the Sudanese people and the homeland. He reviewed the root causes of the war in Darfur, explaining that Jangweed are outlaw groups that practice armed robbery. The President added that Darfur rebels stopped development in the area by abducting workers engaged in humanitarian relief and digging of water wells. Meanwhile, President Al-Bashir has affirmed the government's commitment to deter the outlaws in Darfur, saying that the final solution of the issue of Darfur is linked with disarming the rebels and armed militias. This came while President Al-Bashir addressed the women leaderships yesterday at a meeting organized by the committee for celebrating the 15th anniversary of the National Salvation Revolution, in collaboration with the Sudanese Women's Union.

The President urged citizens and women of Darfur to be in the front lines in order to solve the Darfur issue, especially that the women in Darfur are the most affected by the conflict. President Al-Bashir reiterated the commitment of the government to achieve peace and maintain unity in Sudan. He stressed the important role to be played by women in the coming period, saying that women of Sudan are able to change the society during the peace era, assuring that women's rights are guaranteed by the constitution. The Secretary-General of the Sudanese Women Union, Raja Hassan Khalifa, referred to the role of women in the past, expressing their readiness to protect peace and to promote mutual confidence and contacts between women in the north and south.