JEM rebels say Qatar favouring Sudanese government

May 12, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has criticized the Qatari role in the peace process saying Doha is favouring the Sudanese government side in the talks.

Speaking in a public meeting held yesterday in the Egyptian capital, Khalil Ibrahim said Doha venue has turned into something like chaos in the negotiation, because there are a large number of individuals who claim to be rebel movements and find recognition and allure from many quarters.

JEM recently decided to suspend its participation in the peace talks after signing a framework agreement last February with the Sudanese government including a truce to end hostilities in the restive region. The two parties however traded accusations of breaching the ceasefire as the talks failed to achieve progress.

The rebel group had been opposed to the inclusion of other rebel factions in the peace process and called them to join its ranks. However the later formed one rebel group under the name of Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) and chose a former governor and an international diplomat to lead them.

The rebel LJM and its leader are accused of having secret deal with Khartoum in order to marginalize JEM in the power sharing arrangements. But the newly formed group rejects the accusations and says JEM simply want to impose its hegemony on the region a matter that Darfur people refuse.

In statements to the London based Asharq Alawsat, Khalil Ibrahim however said he does not seek an alternative to Doha venue but wants Egypt, with its expertise and knowledge about Sudan to help the Qatari to better deal with the conflict.

“We made this request because our Qatari brothers are favoring the Sudanese government,” Khalil further said.

Last week, JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Adam speaking to Sudan Tribune, accused the African Union and the US envoy for Sudan of weakening the mediation by supporting the former South African President who seeks to involve himself in the resolution of Darfur conflict.

Ahmed further said that Khartoum used this opportunity to not implement the two agreements they signed and seeks to impose groups it wants to involve at the negotiating table.

Khalil Ibrahim scoffed at the request of his arrest by the Sudanese government saying his demand to reform the peace process worried them because “we refused their behavior and plots in Doha”.

“The government in Khartoum does not want peace and does not want Egypt to play any role because if we reach any agreement with them Egypt would tell (Khartoum) to implement it seriously,” he said.

(ST)