Sissi says divisions within LJM threaten to harm peace in Darfur

January 10, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The chairman of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) Tijani al-Sissi admitted the existence of sharp differences within his group, Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), and regretted that such crisis harms the western Sudan region.

Speaking in a meeting held with the leaders of the Indigenous Administration and civil society groups in the capital of South Darfur state Saturday, al Sissi said they “keep silent about differences because they are keen to preserve the unity of Darfur people” adding differences “made them look small before the others”.

The LJM, which is the first signatory of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), is crossed by divisions between two wings led by its secretary general Bahr Idriss Abu Garada and al-Sissi. The former has blamed the latter of mismanaging the implementation of the security arrangements and being weak with the central government.

On 4 January, another ally of Abu Garda and DRA minister of reconstruction, Development and Infrastructure, Tadjadine Bechir Niam, accused Sissi of corruption saying the projects implemented in Darfur worth only 200 million dollars, adding the two billion dollars development fund went to the pockets on certain people.

“Accusing the Darfur Regional Authority of embezzling two billion dollars , means charging Omdurman National Bank (where the funds are deposited)” said the DRA chairman. But he quickly added “I do not think that the bank has agreed with contractors and stole the DRA money. ”

He further added that contracts were signed with 35 companies to implement the DRA projects “in accordance with the well-established tender terms and conditions,” he stressed.

Sissi further pointed that the current differences may harm the region and put the interest of Darfur people at risk.

The head of Darfur peace implementation Amin Hassan Omer last week minimised the rift within the former rebel group, saying divisions are normal in political forces pointing to his National Congress Party.

Sissi during the past weeks kept law profile and didn’t react to the accusations but seemingly he felt the need to express his position particularly the international committee for DDPD implementation meets in Nyala on 11 January.

He called on Nyala people to reserve a warm welcome to the participants, particularly the Qatari deputy prime minister, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, who will attend the meeting.

The former peace mediator Djibril Bassolé is also expected to attend the meeting representing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

(ST)