IDPs disappointed about Al Bashir’s speech in El Fasher, North Darfur

Displaced people in camps around El Fasher related that they were disappointed in the president’s visit to El Fasher yesterday. President Bashir called on the armed movements to lay down arms and join the peace process and appealed to the people of Darfur to participate in the upcoming elections. Residents of camps around Al Fashir told Radio Dabanga they expected to hear plans to stop the war and provide security but instead he gave a lengthy speech on the election.

Al Bashir made his speech at the El Fashir football stadium to mark the end of the school competitions which were held this year in Darfur. He said the occasion proved that the region enjoys security and stability and refutes on the other hand the allegations of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Darfur.

IDPs said they deplored the fact that he had kept silent on the presence of Chadian opposition forces in Darfur. They further described his visit as a mere propaganda campaign so that he can get around the International Criminal Court’s indictment.