JEM says its general commander is relieved but he is still member
August 10, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Bakheit Abdallah Abdel-Karim (Dabajo), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) commander in chief, was relieved of his duties, said in a short statement released on Thursday, but the group reaffirmed Friday he remains a member in the rebel group.
JEM leader Gibril Ibrahim issued a five-line statement announcing Dabajo’s removal, and adding that he will occupy the position until a successor is found.
Dabajo, a rebel figure who had broken away from Minni Minnawi group after the signing of Abuja peace agreement in 2006, joint JEM in early 2010. He was promoted commander in chief after the return of the late rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim from Libya in September 2011.
The rebel groups refused to sign the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) in July 2011 and established a rebel alliance with the SPLM-North and two factions of Sudan Liberation Movement in November of last year.
Gibreel Adam Bilal, JEM spokesperson, issued a statement on Friday denying previous reports about Dabajo’s involvement in an attempt to split the Movement reaffirming that he is still a member of the rebel group.
He emphasised that the leader of the Movement, in accordance to JEM statute, has a discretionary power to ascertain place and time to appoint or to relieve the general commander.
Gibreel added that Dabajo is not wanted for any incriminated action, and the state of emergency is not declared among the rebel troops.
(ST)