Darfur rebels condemn Sudan’s support for Chadian rebels
February 3, 2008 (LONDON) — Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has condemned “the intervention” of the Sudanese government in the internal affairs of Chad urging the African Union to condemn “the blatant GoS backing of the invasion.”
In a statement released today the rebel movement denounced “Al-Bashir’s latest military gamble to change the political system in Chad and impose a puppet government in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad.”
The rebel movement said Sudan’s “intervention in Chad” has already set back plans to enable deployment of the UN-European Military force to protect Darfur refugees in Chad”.
Khartoum is accused of backing the Chadian rebels in order to stop the deployment of the 3,700-strong European mission along the border between Sudan, Chad and Central African Republic.
EUFOR Chad-CAR troops will help protect civilians in danger, particularly refugees and those forced from their homes, and ease humanitarian aid deliveries, as well as ensure the free movement of aid workers for a year.
The rebel JEM said supporting neighbouring rebels would not resolve the on going conflict in Darfur. It further invited Sudanese government to reach a political settlement to the conflict with Darfur rebels.
“JEM affirms to GoS that Darfur problem cannot be addressed by changing governments in neighbouring countries. Darfur problem is political and can only be apprehended through peaceful and political negotiations among all stake holders.”
Troops loyal to president Deby say they drove back rebels besieging his palace on Sunday, further say repulsed an assault by Sudanese forces in the east that it called “a declaration of war”.
However the Chadian rebels speak about tactical withdrawal partly due to the depletion of ammunition.
Sudan’s government denied the accusation that it had backed the offensive by an alliance of Chadian insurgent groups, who denounce Deby’s 18-year rule as corrupt and dictatorial.
The rebel assault, the second to hit the Chadian capital in two years, sent France and other foreign governments scrambling to evacuate their nationals from the oil-producing central African country, which has a history of wars and coups.
(ST)