In a letter to UN Chief, JEM leader calls for No-Fly Zone in Darfur

Attn: His Excellency, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon,

United Nations Security Council

United Nations Office

New York

USA

25/03/2009

Subject: Letter from President of JEM to the UNSC
Regarding the Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur

Your Excellency,

The Sudan Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) commends the tireless work of the UNSC throughout the Darfur crisis and assures you of JEM’s full cooperation in bringing the Darfur conflict to an end.

As the Council is aware, JEM signed the Doha Goodwill Agreement with the government of Sudan, February 17th 2009. The Agreement was aimed at the alleviation of suffering of the Darfur people as well as at the building of trust between the signing parties. Mindful of the need to improve the humanitarian situation in Darfur, the Agreement included:

1. The facilitation of the free flow of aid delivered by NGOs in Darfur;

2. The halting of all measures of forcible repatriation of IDPs;

3. The preservation of full rights of IDPs and refugees;

4. The exchange of war prisoners and political detainees held by both parties.

Building on the spirit of the Doha Agreement, JEM undertook certain measures to push the momentum forward. These measures included:

1. The unilateral release of 21 government Janjaweed held by JEM;

2. The engagement of community leaders and representatives of Darfur civic society for the purpose of securing their support and ensuring wider ownership of the signed Agreement;

3. The completion of preparation for negotiations scheduled to follow the Goodwill Agreement.

However, JEM was forced to suspend its participation following the government expulsion of 14 international NGOs. The eviction of these NGOs constitutes a blatant breach of the Doha Agreement and in particular Article 3, Paragraphs “a” and “b”. As widely reported by reputable international agencies, the immediate impact of expulsion of international NGOs includes the following:

1. Immense shortages of food, water, medicine and shelter;

2. A substantial increase in fatalities in the IDP camps;

3. The onset of a new humanitarian disaster and a threat of famine in the whole Darfur region.

On behalf of all victims of Darfur war, JEM appeals to the Council to take immediate and resolute measures that commit the Khartoum government to:

1. Allow an immediate return of all evicted international NGOs to Darfur;

2. Refrain from evicting other NGOs, and;

3. Reverse its policy of intended Sudanization of humanitarian work in the Sudan

The worsening humanitarian situation in Darfur poses a real threat to peace in Darfur but equally has an adverse impact on regional and global stability. We appeal to your esteemed Council to stand united in sending a strong message to the government of Sudan. We appeal to the Council to invoke Chapter 7 of the United Nations Convention and adopt the following proposal:

1. Enforce a no-fly zone over the region of Darfur;

2. Use of neighbouring countries for passage of aid to Darfur victims;

3. Establishment of an oil for food programme for Sudan with no prejudice to the share of the Government of Southern Sudan.

Lastly, we assure your esteemed Council of the full cooperation of JEM at all levels in ensuring the adequate flow of aid to Darfur victims.

Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Mohamed

President of JEM

Darfur Liberated Zone