Al-Qaida's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is urging the people of Sudan to prepare for a guerrilla war against the West.
In an Internet video message released Tuesday, Zawahiri said Sudanese should get ready for a long war because "the modern-day crusade has bared its fangs at you."
That is a likely reference to Western countries who have denounced Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for his actions in Darfur, and support the warrant for his arrest issued by the International Criminal Court.
The court has indicted Mr. Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity against Darfur's civilians.
Zawahiri said the West is using Darfur as a pretext to interfere in a Muslim country.
He also said President Bashir spent too many years trying to appease the West, and said his regime is now "reaping what it sowed."
This is the second time in a week al-Qaida has released a message directed at Africa.
Last week, an audio recording attributed to al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden denounced Somalia's new president, and urged Somalis to topple him.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
