Mediators asks URF chief to unify rebel positions to join Darfur talks

May 31, 2009 (DOHA) – Darfur peace mediators met today with a Darfur rebel chief asking him to play a bigger role to unify the positions of Darfur rebel groups that the mediation intends to include in Doha process.

The Qatari state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud asked the rebel chief for a bigger role in the creation of mechanisms for a unified structure and a common vision with the other rebel groups, especially those who are based in Libya and Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur, the SLM leader who is based in France, said the rebel United Resistance Front (URF) on Sunday.

Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, the URF leader held today talks with the Darfur peace mediation in Doha on the peace process. Abdel Salam Kitir, a spokesperson of the rebel group, said Abu Garda met with the Qatari state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud and the joint mediator Djibril Bassolé.

The mediation, which holds now talks between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), said it seeks to include other rebel groups in the talks after the end of the current stage of talks between the two parties.

Last March Abu Garda and four rebel factions agreed to take part in the Doha peace process as one delegation. The signatories of the common ground deal are: the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) – Unity, SLM led by Khamis Abdallah Abakr, the United Resistance Front (URF), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Idris Azraq faction, and the SLM- Juba faction.

The meetings focused on several areas relevant to the issue of Darfur and ways to solve them through negotiations and a comprehensive approach including all the movements, Kitir further said.

The rebel delegation expressed its willingness to participate in the negotiations to be held in the coming period, “especially after it was confirmed that the Doha Forum will include all parties to the conflict in Darfur without exclusion,” he added.

The URF in the past rejected the Doha process when it was begun between JEM and the Government of Sudan.

Abu Garda, who is accused of leading an attack against African peacekeepers in 2007, appeared before a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC), a day after he voluntarily surrendered himself to The Hague-based court on May 18.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune, at the time he asserted his innocence and pledged to prove it. Khartoum accuses the ICC of conspiring with the Darfur rebels against the Sudanese president.

(ST)