Sudan's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the ambassadors of Britain, Norway, and the United States along with the European Union envoy in Khartoum after the 'Troika' criticized the recent general elections.

People in Sudan last week cast their votes in presidential and parliamentary elections. The election was marked by low turnout. Results are set to be made public 27 April.

On Monday, the members of the Troika said in a press release that they do not consider the recent elections to express the will of the Sudanese people.

The three Western governments “regret the Government of Sudan’s failure to create a free, fair, and conducive elections environment,” reads a joint press release.

The minister of information Ahmed Bilal Osman described the statement by the Troika diplomats as “erroneous information.” He accused them of being biased toward rebels. Sudan's armed forces are currently battling various rebel groups in the Darfur region as well as South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that the Troika's remarks were an “intervention in Sudan's internal affairs."

"The Troika's description deliberately ignored attempts by rebel groups to destabilize security during the electoral process through direct bombardment of Kadugli aiming to prevent citizens from casting their votes and crippling elections in South Kordofan State," read the statement.

Preliminary election results suggest a strong win for the incumbent President Omar al-Bashir.

Related:

Troika say Sudan elections do not express 'will of the people' (21 Apr.)