AU envoy to Darfur welcomes positive developments with rebel JEM

June 6, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The African Union envoy to Darfur hailed yesterday the positive development in relations between the pan-African body and a Darfur rebel group who was hostile to it role in the peace process.

As sign of reconciliation, the African Union Special Envoy for Darfur, Salim Ahmed Salim, welcomed the holding of a meeting on 3 June 2007, between a delegation of the Joint Mission Support Team to the AU-UN Special Envoys for Darfur, comprising Amb. Sam Ibok, Head of the DPAIT and Pekka Haavisto, Senior Advisor to the UN Special Envoy, and Khalil Ibrahim, President of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

Salim expressed his satisfaction at the positive spirit which surrounded the meeting, in particular with regards to the working relationship between the AU and the JEM.

According to Sudan Tribune information, the leader of the JEM, Khalil Ibrahim, had a long telephone conversation with the AU envoy. This contact marks the end of one year JEM opposition to the participation of AU and Salim Ahmed Salim particularly in the new mediation after the rejection of JEM to sign Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006.

Salim was accused of adopting a position in favor of the government during the talks and conducting unbalanced mediation.

The AU envoy reaffirmed in his statement that the role of the AU throughout the Peace Talks on Darfur had been to assist the Sudanese Parties in their effort to reach an agreement so as to put an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur.

Salim reitrated his readiness and willingness to continue to closely work with the JEM and all Darfurian Stakeholders in the renewed political process led by the AU and UN Special Envoys, to bring about a comprehensive and lasting peace in Darfur.

(ST)