Eight rebel groups form a new alliance in Darfur
December 12, 2010 (LONDON) – Eight Darfur rebel groups have formed a new coalition to prepare for peace or war, said the signatories in a statement released Sunday from London.
The “Charter of Sudanese Alliance Resistance Forces in Darfur” is inked today in London by Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), United Revolutionary Forces Front (URFF), Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Babiker Abdalla, Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) led by Mahgoub Hussein, United Resistance Front (URF), Democratic Justice and Equality Movement (DJEM), SLM led by Khamis Abdalla Abakr, and the Democratic Revolutionary Forces Front (DRFF)
The signatories pledged to adopt within two weeks the statue of the new alliance, announce its political and military structures and the formation of its delegation to the peace talks.
The charter further said the next two-week period will serve to draw up policies and strategies of the new alliance and to define its joint position for the peace negotiations.
“By signing this charter all the parties are committed to be united for peace and war alike,” said Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM official spokesperson when was asked about whether this move comes before to rejoin Doha for talks with the government.
“Just peace has always been at the top of JEM agenda, and we will be part of the alliance’s delegation to Doha if there is a decision to join the process,” he stressed.
JEM rebels suspend since last may their participation in the Doha peace process accusing the Sudanese army of not observing a cessation of hostilities deal they had signed in February 2010.
Also a delegation from the rebel group is in Doha since three weeks discussing with the mediation under which condition they can resume the direct peace talks with the government.
Mahgoud Hussein, leader of a splinter faction of Liberation and Justice Movement which is negotiating with Khartoum in Doha, said the new alliance is committed to the Qatari sponsored mediation.
However, he said they will join the peace process only when the Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole stops the current process involving his former group and the Sudanese government.
Sudanese government and LJM are expected to sign a peace deal within a week. The mediation will submit this Monday a draft agreement to the parties before the signing next week.
The signing of this deal may complicate discussions engaged with the two rebel groups on joining the Doha process, observers say.
Qatari minister Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud said last month more time is needed to reach a comprehensive deal including the two main rebel groups.
Also Minni Minnawi who signed Abuja peace agreement in 2006 said he is ready to join the peace process pointing out he is discussing SLM reunification with its historical founder, Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur.
Al-Nur pledged since last July to consider joining the Doha process. He is currently conducting consultations with his group in eastern Africa countries and expected to be soon in Paris for a meeting to decide on the peace process.
(ST)
Young Nation
Eight rebel groups form a new alliance in Darfur
Dear brothers in Fur Region,
Unite and all will politically be fined. Remember, our liberation in Southern Sudan was badly affected and stonewalled when we in the South factionized ourselves into several groups with different political lenses. However, the division in the South prolonged our struugle from early 1980s to early 21st Century. The move of uniting yourselves is welcomed but you need to do more by extending the hands of unification and brotherhood to the faction of Abdul Wahid al Nur.
Darfur can never, and I repeat can never, achieve anything without unity among yourselves. I was deeply and profoundly shocked when I recently heard that the unity between Abrahim Khalil’s JEM and Abdul Wahid’s SLM is impossible because of their differing political philosophies and ideologies. The fact that JEM leaders are Islamist in their political orientation and SLM leaders secular is one of such sad philosophies and ideologies.
Young Nation is a Student of BA (International Relations) at The University of Queensland, Australia
Jada Lotole
Eight rebel groups form a new alliance in Darfur
At last the Fur have gotten right the adedge which goes : Unity is strength . Now you dont need to put ink onto papers and you keep afar in London. Remember, NCP gurus dont sleep ! they need people who equally dont sleep !
You may now forget the past and liberate the marginalised region of Darfur . Bashir and his puppets must be quaking now as you read this message !
Good luck .
Deng E. Manyuon
Eight rebel groups form a new alliance in Darfur
I hope this forged alliance in Darfur was in a good faith! They do need each other for better peace and stability or war. Darfurian rebels have been very young in the Sudanese struggle against the elites in Khartoum. They should learn from the mistakes of people of Southern Sudan during their struggle against very the same for decades. My personal sympathy to the issue of Darfur. United they stand, divided they fall.