JEM-Dabajo refers disagreement over Darfur fund to Sudanese presidency
March 20, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The former rebel Justice and Equality Movement led by Bakheit Abdallah Abdel-Karim (Dabajo) (JEM-Dabajo) referred its difference with the head of Darfur peace implementation Office, Amin Hassan Omer, to the president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.
Last Tuesday the group said that state minister Omer refused to give them the chairmanship of Darfur Reconstruction and Development Fund (DRDF) who told them that the holder of this position would be named by the donor countries.
However, in accordance with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) the head of the DRDF is appointed by the president in consultation with the signatory Movements.
JEM Dabajo spokesperson, Sadiq Youssef Zakaria, confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Thursday that they lodged a complaint to presidency, adding they are “determined to preside over this fund to serve the people who suffered from the 11 year war in Darfur”.
“The head of Darfur office insisted that the Movement should chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission instead of the DRDF”, he further said.
Zakariah also pointed to their weak representation in the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) and accused Darfur office and the regional body of seeking to marginalise the group.
JEM-Dabajo, known also as JEM Sudan, signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government on 6 April 2013. The killing of several members of its leadership delayed the implementation of the deal.
In January of this year, the leader of the group who arrived to Khartoum in December 2013, was appointed adviser at the Supreme Council of Decentralized Governance.
Different officials of the group believe that the Liberation and Justice Movement of Tijani El-Sissis who chairs the DRA seeks to marginalise them. Also, this is the second time they disagree with the head of Darfur peace implementation office.
(ST)