‘Darfur authorities recruiting new troops’: sheikh

The Sudanese authorities are reportedly recruiting young men in Darfur. Sheikh Matar Younis, Koran scholar in Zalingei, Central Darfur, and chairman of the Young Rebels for Freedom and Democracy told Radio Dabanga that “the authorities started a new mobilisation among the citizens of South, Central, and West Darfur, in order to recruit between 4,000 to 5,000 troops”. He commented that the mobilisation contradicts with the peace posed by the Sudanese government, and demanded from the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to strive for a “real peace, not a fake one”. The sheikh criticised “those who talk in El Geneina, Zalingei, or El Fasher about resolving the Darfur issue”, referring to the Social Peace Conferences organised by the Darfur Regional Authority. He stressed that “the real problem is the Khartoum government because it is the one that distributes arms, Land Cruisers and seduces young men to fight”. According to Younis, “the formation of a transitional government will not solve the crisis in Sudan. The NCP government’s hands are stained with innocent people’s blood. The solution for Darfur is to be found in Khartoum, not in any other place”. He appealed to all the Sudanese to stand united to solve the problem of Sudan. File photo Related:Security forces assault Koran scholar and activist in Central Darfur (17 February 2014)Relatives appeal for Darfuri youths recruited to fight in South Kordofan to return home (18 December 2013)Sudan training young Darfuris to fight in South Kordofan: recruit (9 December 2013)