US special envoy to Sudan meets with SRF rebel leaders
September 21, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The United States special envoy to Sudan Donald Booth held talks with leaders of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) at an undisclosed location for the first time since his appointment last August.
They include Darfur rebels: Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Movement Abdul Wahid (SLM-AW), Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and rebels from South Kordofan and Blue Nile States : Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- Northern Sector (SPLM-N).
The SRF said in an emailed statement that it discussed with the US envoy the overall political, security and humanitarian as well as a comprehensive political solution after the failure of all partial solutions to achieve peace and stability.
According to the press release, the SRF leadership communicated its position and vision for a comprehensive solution but affirmed its rejection to partial solutions .
They also discussed “failure” of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur known as UNAMID to protect civilians and its “negative role” in helping to improve the humanitarian situation, similar to Khartoum’s strategy of placing obstacles before opening safe corridors for the delivery of humanitarian aid and food to those affected in areas of conflict in Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile.
The rebel coalition also emphasized the important of justice for sustainable peace and vowed to continue talks with the US envoy along with regional and international organizations that are seized on the issue of Sudan to reach a comprehensive political solution to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Along with helping mediate between north and south Sudan, the White House said that Booth is also mandated with aiding efforts aimed at ending the ongoing conflicts in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile “as part of a holistic solution to Sudan’s human rights, humanitarian, and governance crises”.
The Sudanese government has long rejected the idea of major roundtable conference that brings together all of the country’s political forces including rebels to agree on a way out from the multiple conflicts and crises engulfing Sudan.
It has also warned the new special envoy that he should be confined to improving relations between Sudan and South Sudan and stay away from domestic issues.
(ST)