'Muslims must fight crusaders'
2006-04-23 22:13
Dubai - Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden called on Muslim fighters to prepare for a "prolonged war" in Sudan's Darfur region, in an audiotape attributed to him aired on Sunday.
He said Muslims in Sudan and surrounding countries should be ready to fight the "crusader robbers" in Darfur, which has been torn apart by conflict and humanitarian crisis since February 2003.
"I call upon the mujahedeen (holy warriors) and their supporters in Sudan and its surroundings - including the Arabian Peninsula - to prepare to lead a prolonged war against the crusader robbers in western Sudan," he said.
"Our aim is clear, which is to defend Islam, as well as its land and people, and not to defend the government of Khartoum, even if we share common interests," he added, in reference to the Islamist government that has been in power since a 1989 coup.
About 300 000 people have been killed and more than two million forced from their homes in Darfur since 2003 in fighting between Darfur rebels and militias backed by government forces. The crisis is one of the continent's worst humanitarian tragedies.
The African Union is currently engaged in a diplomatic effort to bring peace to Darfur and has deployed a 7 000-strong force there. But the mission has been plagued with financial problems.
After months of inconclusive negotiations, the international community has given the peace talks being held in Abuja until April 30 to reach agreement.
- SAPA