Sudanese diplomat slams US statement on Darfur administrative referendum

A Sudanese diplomat has slammed the statement released by the US Department of State on holding a referendum on the administrative status of Darfur region, which started on Monday.

Sudanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Abdel Ghani el Naem said the US statement is "a routine" and lacks accuracy and objectivity, noting that it was similar to other statements made by the US about peace issues in Sudan.

He said the summoning of the US ambassador in Khartoum will be studied for talks over the issue.

The Sudanese diplomat also said the voting on the administrative referendum, which started earlier in the day, is being monitored by organizations from the African Union, the Arab League, China and other countries.

The US should have participated in monitoring the referendum before making precedent judgement, he added.

The US Department of State has voiced worry over holding the administrative referendum on Darfur, terming it as not honestly representing the will of the Darfurians and undermining current peace talks, citing lack of security in the region and the large number of displaced people from the war-damaged region.

Source: MENA