JEM urges Ban and Bassole to facilitate return of its chairman to Darfur
May 24, 2010 (LONDON) — Rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) urged the UN chief and Joint Chief Mediator to facilitate the return of its leader to Darfur, saying current situation would impede efforts for peace.
Khalil Ibrahim had been banned by the Chadian authorities on May 19, from returning to Darfur through Ndjamena and returned to the Libyan capital Tripoli.
JEM suspended on may 2 its participation in the Doha peace process accusing Khartoum of violating a truce agreed last February. The rebel group also blamed the host country for favoring the Sudanese government.
“We are urging the UN Secretary General and the Joint Chief Mediator to ensure the return of Dr. Khalil Ibrahim to our bases in Darfur because his presence outside the country would complicate the peace process,” said JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Adam.
“We believe that Khartoum fears his presence on the ground; but this should not deny us from our right to return to Darfur. The mediator also has the duty to guarantee this right,” he added.
The mediation announced the resumption of the discussions between the Sudanese stakeholders during the last week of May. It also said that an invitation would be extended to all the parties including JEM.
The Joint Chief Mediator said he would travel to Tripoli to meet the rebel leader to discuss with him the peace process and ways to end the current deadlock.
The rebel movement says Khartoum seeks to weaken its military capabilities and to pass a peace agreement with another rebel group established last February from different factions.
Ahmed denounced a “conspiracy to abort the fight of Darfur people for its legitimate rights”. He further denounced an attempt by the Sudanese authorities to dismantle the IDPs camps and organize their forcible return.
“We have reliable information that Khartoum is scheduling to forcibly return the IDPs to their villages, Ahmed said, adding we condemn such move which is against the basic rights of displaced and the international law.”
Ali Alwafi, JEM military spokesperson, on Sunday said they released 63 government soldiers captured during recent fighting, the latest in a wave of clashes which have dimmed hopes of reviving peace talks.
These prisoners “were captured in the battle of Umsaouna, last week, May 19th. 10 of the Prisoners were handed over by the ICRC to local leaders and relatives while 53 including 23 injured soldiers were flown to government bases,” he said.
Last week the rebels released 44 soldiers handed to the Red Cross on May 18. Sunday transfer brings to 107 the number of prisoners handed over within one week.
Ahmed Hussein said their troops on the ground are leading the military initiative and foiled Khartoum plans to hit them.
“We have intelligence that the army after the recent defeats had to review its plans and avoid sending mobile units to clash with our troops.”
He also reiterated JEM commitment to the peace process adding they would only resume the talks after a radical overhaul of the peace process.
(ST)