Rebels tell Darfur envoys to secure the release of their comrades

January 16, 2008 (EL-FASHER) — The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) told Darfur envoys that it is willing to meet them when they secure the release of its representatives in the ceasefire commission that Sudan detained while they were doing their duties in El-Fasher.

On December 30, an armed unit belonging to the Government of Sudan stormed into AU HQ in El-Fasher and abducted six JEM Representatives to the AU Ceasefire Commission (CFC). The AU condemned the arrest and described it as violation of the N’Djamena Ceasefire Agreement of 2004.

JEM leadership informed the UN and the African Union Special Envoys for Darfur that they have to secure first the release of their six representatives in the Cease Fire Commission before to meet them to discuss the participation of the rebel movement in the peace talks, Sudan Tribune has learned.

Envoys Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmed Salim arrived to Khartoum last Sunday on their first joint trip to Darfur since a botched opening of peace talks in Libya last October which the main guerrilla factions boycotted.

According to JEM sources, the two envoys pledged to exert efforts to ensure their release from the jails of the Sudanese security where they are detained. The rebel movement said its members are tortured and one of them, Mohamed Bashar Ahmed, was shot in his leg by the Sudanese security.

During the last months JEM become militarily the most capable fighting force in Darfur after rearming and attacking the government in West and South Darfur. The group also succeeded to win the support of some former militias from Darfur Arab tribes.

Eliasson and Salim reiterated that they have no date to propose for the start of the talks but insisted that dialogue with rebel main groups would help to accelerate the peace process.

(ST)