Gambari urges rebels to join efforts for peace in Darfur
September 14, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — The head of Darfur peacekeeping operation and temporary mediator Ibrahim Gambari called on the rebel groups to join the peace process, stressing Darfurians have suffered enough during the past eight years.
Princeton Lyman, US special envoy to Sudan, urged this week the rebel groups to hold peace talks with the government and discouraged them from pursuing a recent alliance with the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) to wage war against Khartoum.
“I reiterate my call to the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi and the Sudan Liberation Army – Abdul Wahid to join the peace process and contribute to building of a better tomorrow for all Darfuris,” he said.
Alluding to the SPLM-N alliance with the SLM two factions led by Minnawi and Abdel Wahid al-Nur he further said “This is not the time to posture. This is not a time to unite for war. This is a time to unite for peace”.
“Too many have suffered and too much is at stake”.
He further addressed a special criticism against Abdel Wahid because he is the only one who refuses to negotiate with the government and is not party in any peace agreement, he said.
The recent IFC meeting discussed the imposition of sanctions on the rebel groups refusing to take part in the talks but no decision has been taken. Earlier this year the UN Security Council discussed the issue but the US was not favourable to this demarche.
The former joint peace mediator Djibril Bassole was against sanctions on rebel groups refusing to participate in the peace process. But seemingly Gambari is in favor of more pressures on the rebel groups.
He however said the mediation is undertaking contacts with the Justice and Equality Movement and the two SLM factions in order to reach a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
Gambari is appointed since last July as joint chief mediator ad interim but the Security Council is reluctant to confirm him in this position because it is perceived as contradictory with the UNAMID mandate which authorizes to act under Chapter seven.
JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim said last Sunday he wants Chad to play a vital role in the process and broker a just peace deal between his group and Khartoum. The rebel group demands to open the Doha framework peace document for talks but the government rejects the demand.
The US envoy prepare for a meeting in Washington to discuss the ongoing efforts to end Darfur conflict. Lyman said they invited the Sudanese parties to expose their positions in and to identify their divergences. He however said they have no project for a new initiative.
American pressure groups called in the past for a new process but Khartoum for the time being refuses new international mediation. On Wednesday the ruling National Congress Party welcomed Lyman’s call to the rebel groups to negotiate a peaceful agreement.
Qutbi Mahdi, head of the NCP political secretary, praised Lyman for advising during recent meetings he held in Kampala to negotiate instead of waging war. He further said he hope that this statement represents the official policy of Washington.
(ST)