LJM rebels endorse compromises proposed by the mediator for peace in Darfur
January 3, 2011 – (DOHA) — Darfur rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) declared Monday accepting compromise proposals crafted by the mediation to break deadlock over four pending issues the two negotiating parties failed to agree upon it.
Following Khartoum’s decision to withdraw its delegation from Doha in a bid to force an end to the peace talks in Doha, the mediation on 30 December delivered a compromise paper on power sharing, security arrangements, compensations and justice in Darfur.
The mediation Thursday said it had received one reaction and waiting the response of the other party.
“We declared our acceptance in a reply handed to the mediation on Sunday. The decision was taken after extensive consultations among the different members of the Movement, said Tadjadine Beshir Niam, LJM chief negotiator.
“We are now waiting for a final peace agreement to be signed,” he further said.
Asked about the content of the four proposals, Niam said Darfur would get a vice-president who will chair the transitional authority in the region. He also said the mediation proposed 300 million US dollar for the compensations instead of the 500 million they demand and the 200 million put on the table by the government.
He also said that the proposal on justice provides that the Sudanese justice should observe the international humanitarian law when it deals with war crimes committed in Darfur with the presence of international experts.
The Sudanese government wants to start another strategy from inside the country to settle Darfur conflict, said Ghazi Salah Al-Deen presidential adviser in charge of Darfur file on Thursday 30 December urging the mediation to submit their draft agreement over talks with LJM rebels.
The government new strategy for peace comes together with a process of political dialogue the head of African Panel in Darfur, Thabo Mbeki says he wants to implement jointly with the Sudanese authorities.
However, Sudan reiterated Monday its rejection for the proposals made by the mediation saying they are inconsistent with the Sudanese constitution and the framework agreement signed with LJM on 18 March.
Omer Adam Rahma, spokesperson of Sudanese delegation said today in Khartoum that the government rejects in principal the inclusion of Darfur status in the negotiations as it wants the future of the region to be determined through a referendum including all the people of the region.
He added that the government is waiting for the final draft of the peace agreement to determine its position on the outstanding issues.
However, LJM chief negotiator reminded in statements to Sudan Tribune that they had agreed that the mediation, when the parties fail to agree on pending issues, has the authority to make binding proposals to the two parties.
“We failed to reach an agreement over these issues and efforts by the mediation at the level of the steering committee were also unsuccessful, so the mediators can craft compromises binding to the two parties,” Niam pointed out.
Khartoum earlier this year said it wants to finalize a peace deal with the rebel LJM before the end of December 2010. But the mediators in mid-December said they failed to narrow the gap between the two parties.
Meanwhile, the mediators managed to convince the powerful rebel group, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to engage talks on a cessation of hostilities with the Sudanese delegation in Doha.
However, the Sudanese presidential adviser last week showed disinterest to reach a truce with JEM rebels. Ghazi said the rebels have to announce their immediate commitment to hold direct peace talks, if they want the government to continue discussion on the issue.
Ahmed Hussein Adam JEM spokesperson told Sudan Tribune last week that talks on truce is a first step towards direct peace talks.
The return of JEM rebels to the negotiating table in Doha seemingly bothers government plans to sign a peace deal with LJM and start the AU supported internal political process.
In a deal reached last July in Addis Ababa between the African Union and the United Nations it was agreed to allow the Joint Chief Mediator to follow his efforts to bring the rebel groups to the negotiating table until the end of the year, if he fails the AU panel can start to organize its plan for political dialogue in Darfur with Sudanese government support.
The arrival of JEM rebels to Doha and their readiness to resume peace talks would stop government plans to end the internationally supported process in Doha.
The joint mediator expressed doubts last week that the rebels would accept to take part in a process to be held inside the country.
(ST)