Diplomat claims pressure on Khartoum is support for rebels

The government intended to pursue a peaceful resolution to the war in Sudan, even if it meant the secession of the south, the Ambassador to Kenya, Farouq Ali, said in Nairobi on Wednesday. However, he warned against international pressure on Khartoum which, he said, “translates to direct support to the rebel movement with its intransigence”, the Kenyan ‘Daily Nation’ newspaper reported. Farouq also deflected criticism of recent government bombings in the Nuba Mountains, saying the region was not designated as a ceasefire zone.

“We are implementing a partial ceasefire, although we are asking for a comprehensive one,” he said, adding that the SPLM was carrying out “a media propaganda campaign” about the attacks. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail on Thursday commended the UN’s role in providing humanitarian assistance to war victims in the south, and looked forward to improving performance “in line with directives set out for humanitarian work, and respect for the state’s sovereignty and national security”.