Darfur JEM dismiss reports of Chadian military supplies

November 15, 2009 (PARIS) – The Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) dismissed as “lies” reports that it has recently received large supplies of military hardware from Chad.

“It has been reported in some news agencies that the Chadian government has handed JEM a number of vehicles, ammunition and heavy equipment….the Chadian government did not provide any support to JEM in the past whether it be arms, vehicles or ammunitions” the rebel group said in a statement.

“Everyone knows JEM relies on arms it gains from direct battles with the [Sudanese] regime’s army and these are numbered in the hundreds won by the movement”.

Khartoum blames neighboring Chad for some of the violence, saying it supports JEM. Chad in turn says Sudan supported the Chadian rebels who attacked Chad’s capital in February 2008.

In the statement JEM claimed that increasing numbers of soldiers from the Sudanese army are defecting bringing their weapons with them.

“The regime is trying to run away from its responsibility and complicity in supporting the Chadian mercenaries”.

Talks are underway between Chad and Sudan to mend ties with focus on halting support to rebel groups on both sides of the borders. All previous attempts brokered by regional players have failed.

(ST)