Peace implementation panel condemns ceasefire violations in Darfur
Aug 5, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Darfur Peace Agreement Joint Commission expressed deep concern over the continued violations of the ceasefire in Darfur with grave consequences on the humanitarian situation.
The DPA Joint commission condemned the continued violations of the ceasefire declared in Darfur and decried the involvement of all the parties the conflict “signatories and non signatories of the DPA alike” said a press statement by the AU spokesperson Nureddine Mezni.
The DPA panel accused the new rebel groups of attacking the African Union forces besides, their Sudanese adversaries.
The statement mentions as new groups the G-19 which a dissident faction from the SLM led by Khamis Abdalla Abakr — and the National Redemption Front (NRF) formed in Asmara by the JEM, the G-19 and the Sudan Federal Democratic Alliance at the end of June.
Esam Eldin al-Haj, the spokesperson of the SLM faction which rejects the DPA, and coordinate their military action on the ground with the NRF accused the AU forces of providing intelligence data to the Sudanese army on the positions and movements of their troops.
He also accused the AU of providing logistical support to Minawi forces. He further said that AU does not condemn Sudanese military aviation raids against their positions.
“The Joint Commission took note of the position of the Government of the Sudan on these groups, whom they have declared terrorists”, said the AU statement.
The second meeting of the DPA panel, held 3 August 2006 in Addis Ababa, to follow the implementation of the DPA was chaired by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, and was attended by the signatories of the DPA and the Declaration of Commitment (DoC), the UN, the EU and the US as members, and Canada, Egypt, France the League of Arab States, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK as observers.
(ST)