Norway condemns attack on Khartoum

“Norway condemns the attack on the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, by the rebel group the Justice and Equality Movement. The attack demonstrates the need for the UN, the AU, the international community and the parties to the Darfur conflict to intensify their efforts to find a political solution to the situation in Darfur,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

In the past few days the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has moved forces from Darfur and approached the Sudanese capital. Late Friday afternoon and Saturday night the fighting between the JEM and the government army forces reached the city of Omdurman, on the outskirts of Khartoum. There are reports of dead and wounded. The JEM has declared that they now have a national agenda for their campaign. 

The Norwegian Government supports the UN and the EU in their unequivocal condemnation of the JEM’s military actions, which have affected many innocent civilians. 

“I urge all parties to show restraint in the current situation. Only a political solution can provide a basis for lasting peace in Darfur. It is important that the joint UN/AU force is fully deployed in Darfur as soon as possible. Such attacks must not be allowed to undermine the efforts to find a political solution,” said Mr Støre. 

Earlier in the week, Norway hosted a major donor conference for Sudan, where the situation in Darfur was also on the agenda. 

“The conference underscored the need for a concerted international effort to achieve  peace in the whole of Sudan. The situation in Sudan is now very serious. Political dialogue is the only thing that can change this. Both the Sudanese authorities and the rebel groups have to realise that continued fighting is a dead end,” said Foreign Minister Støre.