Sudanese president reiterates end of rebellion in Darfur

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Friday reiterated that the rebellion in Darfur has ended, noting that the security in the region is stable.

"There is no rebellion in Darfur any more, and soon Darfur will be declared completely free of rebellion," said al-Bashir when addressing a people's gathering at El Fasher, capital of North Darfur State.

He urged the Darfur people to support the option of peace, security, combating of tribal conflicts, and not to seek the support of foreigners.

"Do not wait for UNAMID (The United Nations- African Union Mission in Darfur) or the African Union to bring you the solution," he said.

The Sudanese president further urged the Darfur citizens to register a high voting rate in the coming Darfur administrative status referendum slated for April 11.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Friday started a tour to Darfur's five states, only few days ahead of the referendum.

Al-Bashir's visit to Darfur region is the first since the general elections conducted in April 2015, when he made a similar tour to the region.

He is scheduled to address people's rallies in the capitals of the region's five states, and meet political and tribal leaders besides representatives of different sectors and civil society organizations.

Al-Bashir's tour begins from North Darfur State and then covers South, West, East and Central Darfur State.

"This visit is important and constitutes a great boost for Darfur citizens before the referendum," Abdul-Wahid Yousif, North Darfur State Governor, told reporters here.

"The visit will also give a new push for the developmental projects which the government is working to implement," he added.

For his part, Tijani Sese, head of the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority (TDRA), said al-Bashir's visit to Darfur states reaffirms that the region is witnessing complete stability.

"These days Darfur is witnessing a great political and social movement ahead of the administrative referendum. The visit adds momentum to the referendum," he noted.

Major Darfur rebel movements reject the referendum unless Khartoum fulfills other demands including reaching a political agreement with the region's armed groups and paying compensations for the people affected by the conflict.

The Sudanese government stressed that the referendum is a constitutional right that must be implemented according to Abuja peace deal which Khartoum signed with the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)/ Minni Minnawi faction in 2006.

The Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, signed between the government and the Liberation and Justice Movement in 2011, stipulates conduction of a referendum in Darfur, and that its result is to be included in the country's permanent constitution.

According to the deal, if the Darfur people vote for merging the states into one region, the TDRA shall form a constitutional committee to determine the powers of Darfur's regional governments.

However, if the Darfur people vote against the option of one region, the agreement stipulates that the current administrative status of five states shall remain and the TDRA shall be dissolved. Endit