Sudan: JEM rebels kill 5 Chinese oil workers

SOURCE Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
Republished for information and discussion only. Such reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Mike Hitchen Consulting or OverallStrategy.com

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27: In yet another heinous act of terror, the JEM rebel group has killed 5 of the 9 Chinese oil workers who they recently kidnapped. These innocent hostages were abducted in South Kordofan on the 18th of October where they were doing work for the Greater Petroleum Operating Company (GNPOC), a syndicate of companies headed by CNPC. Sudan deplores and condemns in the strongest possible terms this gruesome murder and the relentless criminal behavior that the rebels perpetually indulge in, and extends its condolences to the families of the victims. We call on the world to act decisively and swiftly in this matter.

This remarkable and ghastly incident is preceded by numerous episodes of its kind, all of which have somehow managed to pass under the radar of international scrutiny. It has been clear that their actions from the beginning have been designed to target innocent civilians and international personnel engaged in developmental work in Sudan as a way of instilling terror and undermining positive efforts. They have gone from hijacking civilian airplanes, downing UNAMID helicopters, ambushing aid workers to shooting and killing scores of peacekeepers, not ones, but on several
occasions.

Yet despite all of these violent crimes, no rebuke or substantive condemnation is ever issued by those who still wish to believe that the rebels are fighting for something more than power. It has become somewhat of a gag and indeed exhausting to incessantly accuse the Government of non-cooperation even in the face of such flagrant and egregious violations of humanitarian law by these Rebels. It is high time that impunity is shunned and accountability is allowed to prevail.

Ironically this ordeal is taking place in the backdrop of the recently launched "Sudan People's Initiative", a campaign meant to promote discussions among stakeholders for ways to resolve the crisis in Darfur.

This development cannot be perceived as anything but an attempt to undermine the countries total security by thwarting these critical efforts. Otherwise if there were an honest desire to end this appalling catastrophe, the first conscientious action taken by the rebels and their sympathizers would've been to join and take part in the roundtable discussions. But their apparent refusal to even voice their position in these talks reveals an agenda that will not consider or bend to any amount of pleading from the Sudanese. As such it is solely incumbent upon the peace-loving world to make it clear to the rebels that they frown and disapprove of this
behavior. The people of Sudan extend their condolences to the families and demand justice for the innocent workers killed.

Embassy of The Republic of the Sudan - Washington
202-338-8565
202-338-8565

Published by Mike Hitchen, OverallStrategy.com
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