Sudan's prominent Islamist opposition leader, Hassan al-Turabi, denied allegations on Tuesday that his party was aggravating the conflict between government forces and rebels in the western region of Darfur.
"The Popular Congress Party (PCP) is not at all involved in Darfur developments," Turabi told reporters at his party headquarters in Khartoum. "Members of the (PCP) party who have registered with armed men in Darfur have done so without the consent of the party."
| Gosh. That's a really plausible denial. |
"All parties, including the ruling party, have members who have joined the armed groups there," he added. "It is the government that is responsible for aggravating the situation in Darfur, by resorting to military action instead of talks, by encouraging tribal militias and inciting tribes against each other."
| "Yeah. It ain't us. It's them!" |
Sudanese authorities have arrested 27 PCP members of the party since last week, according to party official Bashir Adam Rahma. According to diplomatic sources, one of the Darfur rebel groups, the Movement for Justice and Equality, has been expanding with support from Turabi. |