Sudan’s Darfur ‘safer than Iraq’

Sudan's government claims it has handled the Darfur crisis better than the United States has dealt with Iraq.

Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismael told the BBC that US leaders were trying to use Darfur “immorally” ahead of next month’s presidential elections.

He was speaking after a meeting of regional leaders in Libya, at which Sudan hinted it may agree to Darfur having more control over its affairs.

Some 70,000 people have died in Darfur, in what the US says is a “genocide”.

Pro-government Arab militias have forced some 1.5 million black African farmers and their families from their homes, after two rebel groups took up arms in February 2003.