SPLM rejects the new government strategy for Darfur

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) ripped the new government strategy to address the issue of Darfur, reiterating its rejection of the strategy altogether. The movement now joins other opposition forces including the Umma Party and the rebels in rejecting the strategy.Dr. Keji Roman, the spokesman for SPLM Northern Sector, spoke about the strategy at a joint news conference on Wednesday with the SPLM leaders in the three Darfur states, who were visiting the headquarters of the movement in Khartoum. Dr. Roman said that the new strategy belongs solely to the National Congress, which is attempting to take the initiative in resolving the issue away from the armed movements, the national political forces and the civil society in Darfur. He said that the solutions recommended by the National Conference in the new strategy are very far from resolving the case.

The government strategy, which has been promoted by state media and made publically available, emphasizes development. In line with the new strategy, the finance minister announced in August funding for projects costing US$1.9 billion.