Darfur visit: Al Bashir calls on hold-out rebels to join peace process

Sudan’s President Al Bashir has renewed his call for the hold-out armed groups to join the peace process, saying that he will welcome negotiation with anyone who wants peace.

Speaking in Kass in South Darfur on Friday, Al Bashir promised major projects in the fields of development, health and education services. The President is currently on a four-day visit to South and East Darfur.

He also announced the government’s commitment to generalise public education in the first stage and make it mandatory in the second stage, in addition to the state’s keenness to provide health care and clean and healthy water to prevent diseases and epidemics among citizens. He reiterated the government’s commitment to complete the collection of weapons and unlicensed vehicles, and keep the weapons in the hands of the government.

He said that towns are being planned for the displaced people of Kass camps.

During his visit to South Darfur, Al Bashir opened a 97-kilometre Nyala-Kass road as the first phase of the 207-kilometre Nyala-Kass-Zalingei road.

He pledged to establish development projects and security services in all areas of voluntary return and.

Speaking to the returnees to Sani Sunta in Bielel locality in Nyala he said: “Displacement, aid and charity do not suit the people of Sudan and the people of Darfur in particular, because Sudan has long been a safe haven for all transients.”

He promised to integrate the people of the area into the security institutions to achieve security and stability in their villages.

East Darfur

The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) confirms that after concluding his visit to South Darfur, Al Bashir arrived in Ed Daein, the capital of East Darfur yesterday.

He was received, at the airport, by the Wali (governor) of the state, Anas Omer and a number of executive, legislative, political and civil administrations leaderships.

Mass rally

Addressing a mass rally following his arrival in Ed Daein yesterday, Al Bashir underlined that “security and stability means more development and services projects, appreciating the security and development efforts being exerted by the East Darfur government.”

Al Bashir: ‘‘East Darfur enjoys enormous resources that create job opportunities for the youth’’ he affirmed.

The president pledged to complete the development and services projects in the state including rehabilitation of roads and railways as well as linking the state to the National Electricity Network.

During his visit to the state, SUNA reports that Al Bashir will launch a number of development and infrastructure projects.

The president will also, inaugurate the Al Bashir Islamic Complex, the Social Insurance Tower and Ed Daein University.