Minister for Africa discusses Darfur with Sudanese Foreign Minister
1 May 2014 04:31 PM
Mark Simmonds discussed Darfur and the National
Dialogue with Sudanese Foreign Minister Karti on 28
April.
The
Minister for Africa called Sudanese Foreign Minister Karti to raise our
concerns about the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Darfur and to discuss
the National Dialogue. He urged the Government of Sudan to rein in its
military, who are accused of targeting civilians in Darfur. He welcomed the
Sudanese government’s call for National Dialogue, while making clear that
it needed to meet the President’s stated commitment to a fully
transparent process that embraces all Sudanese citizens.
Speaking after the call, the Minister for Africa
said:
The
people of Sudan desperately need to see change in the way they are governed. I
therefore informed Foreign Minister Karti that I welcomed President
Bashir’s call for a comprehensive and inclusive National Dialogue. Sudan
now needs a comprehensive process that embraces all members of society and all
political groupings. We hope all Sudanese will feel able to participate and be
heard. I informed Minister Karti that the UK was ready to support, including in
practical ways, a genuinely transparent and inclusive National
Dialogue.
I
made it clear to Foreign Minister Karti that the prospects for a successful and
inclusive National Dialogue are being undermined by the wholly unacceptable
actions of the government’s Rapid Support Forces in Darfur, as stated in
UN reports which include violence against civilians, acts of rape and the
looting and burning of houses. I urged the government to rein these forces in
and allow full access to humanitarian agencies and full access and mobility for
UN forces to allow them to do their work of helping ordinary Sudanese civilians
affected by the conflict. I also condemned the violent actions of armed
opposition groups which have led to civilian casualties and
displacement.
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