The government has received with shock reports that Tanzania teams will play football matches in the troubled Darfur region in western Sudan, saying security conditions are critical.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hon Bernard Membe
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Bernard Membe told the National Assembly that the government fails to understand the rationale of Kagame Cup organisers – the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) — to choose Darfur as one of the hosts.
Darfur, which has been devastated by civil war since 2003, is set to host the 2013 CECAFA Club Championships starting June 18 to July 5, this year and Tanzania teams due to play are two-time defending champions Young Africans, former champions Simba and Zanzibar’s Super Falcon.
“We are not sure of the security and safety of our players while in Darfur, the region where all guests are received by armed forces in bullet proof motorcades and vests. There are not even hotels to accommodate our players,” he said.
Membe further questioned the intention of the organisers to choose the venue well knowing that they were holding the players’ lives in ransom. “The government is studying this situation and making a close follow up and we promise to make a statement which will also show our stand on the matter,” he said.
Yanga, in particular, have written to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) expressing concerns over what the club believes a state of insecurity in Darfur, which has faced a guerrilla civil war since February 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) took up arms.
TFF Secretary General Angetile Osiah has, however, been quoted allaying the fears of the newly-crowned Mainland champions, saying relative peace is reigning and that is one of the reasons CECAFA bosses have approved of the area to host this year’s competition.
He said Sudan as host country has assured them of safety. “I want to assure Yanga that there is no security threat in the region, they wouldn’t be allowed to host the tournament if there was a state of insecurity,” Osiah commented.
He urged the country’s representatives to embark on strong preparations, insisting that everything will be alright.
CECAFA opted to take the tournament to Darfur with a view to helping the region in the development and implementation of various growth projects and staging the show there successfully will be proof of some stability.
The draw for the 39th Edition of the CECAFA club championship was conducted in Khartoum, Sudan, last week with other Mainland representatives Simba due to face debutants Mereikh El-Fasher in their opening match on June 21.
Holders Yanga, who will be trying to win their third title in a row, have been drawn in Group C alongside Express from Uganda, Ports of Djibouti and Burundi champions Vitalo. Record winners Simba, with six titles, will compete in Group A, against three-time winners, Rwanda’s APR, Elman of Somalia and hosts Mereikh El-Fasher.
Zanzibar envoys Super Falcon earned a relatively tougher draw, pitted against three home teams — Al-Hilal, Al Nasir (South Sudan), Al Ahly Shandi as well as Kenyan champions Tusker in a five-team Group B.
By ABDULWAKIL SAIBOKO, Tanzania Daily News
