Sudan and JEM rebels agree to sign a final deal for peace in Darfur
February 23, 2010 (DOHA) — Amin Hassan Omer, the top government negotiator, and Ahmed Tugud, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) delegation to the peace talks, signed today in Doha a peace framework for a final peace between Sudan and Darfur’s main rebel group.
The 12-point deal provides a ceasefire agreement between the two parties to be implemented starting from Wednesday, 24 February, but also a commitment to finalize a peace agreement outlined in the framework agreement.
Sources speak about unannounced clauses agreed between the two parties dealing with power sharing as the bilateral deal comes after the Abuja peace deal signed with Minni Minnawi in Abuja four years ago. Also it should be followed by a separate deal with other groups present in Doha but not included in today’s agreement.
This marks the first important step since the Abuja agreement; meanwhile, another popular rebel group – the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) — refuses to negotiate with the government asking it first to disarm government-backed militia prior to any talks.
The breakthrough deal nonetheless makes obvious that the continuing state of fragmentation among an array of the non-signatory rebel groups may weaken their position and lead them to reconsider their demands. JEM and SLM-AW refused in May 2006 to sign a peace agreement, since it did conform to their demands for one sole administrative region in Darfur, individual compensation, and important representation in the central government and the other regions.
Feeling the damage that could be generated by the separate talks, Khalil Ibrahim, JEM leader urged the other groups to join hands with his movement and negotiate as one delegation.
“I call on my brothers in the other movements to (come together) in an overall partnership at the service of our country and say, let us unite and commit ourselves together and at the same time to peace,” said Khalil Ibrahim at the signing ceremony before to embrace President Omer Al-Bashir.
The peace deal speaks without details about permanent political partnership between the National Congress Party (NCP) and JEM which, in accordance with the Doha framework accord, would become “a political party as soon as the final agreement is signed between the two parties”.
The Sudanese President, who remitted death sentences on over one hundred JEM fighters in Khartoum before travelling to Doha said the framework agreement is “an important step toward ending war and the conflict in Darfur.”
The deal despite the fact it was negotiated secretly in Ndjamena is a real breakthrough for the mediation which sought Deby’s intervention to break the deadlocked consultations between the rebels over the unity issue.
Former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki was last week touring African capitals reportedly seeking support to take over the Darfur dossier from the current UN-AU mediator Djibril Bassole, stressing that he can do more than the latter to push the parties toward talks.
The Emir of Qatar, who is keen to host the talks in Doha and to conclude an agreement there pledged to give one billion US dollar for Darfur rehabilitation and reconstruction. Qatar is already committed in humanitarian action on the ground.
Previously the Sudanese government and JEM rebels signed a goodwill agreement but they failed to implement it after Khartoum refusal to release JEM fighters. This occurred about a year ago.
Sudan will hold within nearly two months general elections including presidential, legislative and regional levels. The NCP and the SPLM insist on April as the date for the poll which is part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005.
But JEM rebels demand the delay of elections, adding it would be difficult to sign a final peace agreement before 15 March as it is stipulated in the framework agreement.
(ST)
Gatmi raan
Sudan and JEM rebels agree to sign a final deal for peace in Darfur
Dear readers:
I said last year that GOSS should declare our independent since, darfuris(espc. JEM) were still fighting the Government in Khartoum. Now that they are (JEM) are heading toward a final reconcialation with the Goverment in Khartoum. My worst case scenarios has just scurfaced, and that is Dafuris once again will be used against Southeners Selfdetermination. This is the worts ever misjugement by GOSS. I say that because GOSS president and it Adviser Luka Biong have been tried to postponed the inevitable: THE WAR. but you can’t postponed that indefinitely. sooner or later it will happenend
Akuma
Sudan and JEM rebels agree to sign a final deal for peace in Darfur
It is just ceasefire but not peace agreement even though the world assure Sudanese as peace agreement between JEM and Sudanese Goveernment. The fact is that, Darfur region will not be peacefully as Dongola or Khartoum itself because the remedies of war are still operating in the regions.
Whether true or not not, that peace is just for re-election process of El-Bashir if Darfuris are not serously about it, JEM as done their part to sabotage Sudanese govrnment policies and they were been weaken by the partners SLM party who integrate with Sudanese government, as per now, that agreement, no hope or guaranteed for peace in Darfur.
Dr. Akuma
Chicago, USA
mathem jech amer
Sudan and JEM rebels agree to sign a final deal for peace in Darfur
Waw, Peace agreement Signed
How long are those agreements going to be signed? There are more than 10 rebel groups in Darfur. Signing peace with one rebel group will take approximately 10 years before final stability comes to Darfur.
What hell going on with rebel groups, need leadership?
Time1
Sudan and JEM rebels agree to sign a final deal for peace in Darfur
If NCP can respect the wishes of the Darfur people and turn this agreement into reality ont he ground then there will be full peace in Darfur, also there is need to bring in other rebel groups who have refused to sign so far like SLM- AL Nur, NCP should treat all movements equal and grant them their wishes and form a a new interim governemnt in Darfur soon.