BREAKING NEWS: Sudan president says will not honor ceasefire in Darfur

May 20, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir announced today that his government is no longer bound by ceasefire with the Darfur rebel groups.

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir addresses a news conference with South African President Thabo Mbeki at Mbeki’s office in Cape Town November 7, 2007 (Reuters)

“We will deal swiftly with anyone who bears arms outside the armed forces or the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) signatories. Any ceasefire will be according to our own terms” the Sudanese president said today.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) said Al-Bashir was addressing officers of Sudan’s National Security and Intelligence Service who recited to him the “oath of death and sacrifice”.

The gathering was made in the aftermath of a lightning attack on the capital by the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on May 10th.

The assault took the government and international community by surprise. However the Sudanese government repulsed the attack and accused Chad of backing JEM in its attempt.

“Our patience is limited and there is no such thing as liberated lands and any individual who belongs to the JEM will be dealt with swiftly”.

Many observers have said that the attack by JEM will likely be followed by a major offensive by government forces in Darfur. Al-Bashir is the most senior official to suggest an upcoming military campaign in the war ravaged region.

The Sudanese president was standing next to the spy chief Salah Gosh. The latter has been under criticism for failing to provide timely intelligence to the army on the rebels advance.

The government sponsored Sudanese Media Center (SMC) said that Al-Bashir directed the bureau to arrest any members of JEM whether it be a “student or worker or a civil servant”.

“Any adult JEM member should be arrested now anywhere they are” Al-Bashir was quoted as saying.

There have been numerous reports of a wide-scale crackdown on Darfuris residing in the capital particularly those who appear to belong to the Zaghawa tribe who form the bulk of the JEM members.

In a report published by Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Sudanese security forces arrested more than 100 people since the rebel attack that left dozens of civilians dead or severely injured.

The Sudan Human Rights Organization (SHRO) issued a statement saying that ethnic persecution against Darfuris spread to the capital in the aftermath of the foiled rebel coup.

- Sudan Tribune (Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Edition)