SLM-AW says not concerned by Sudanese rebels’ declaration on cessation of hostilities

September 16, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) has distanced itself from a statement issued by the rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Movement (SRF) announcing their readiness for a six-month cessation of hostilities.

Last Monday, the SRF chairman Malik Agar issued a statement expressing their willingness to sign a truce for six months in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states and Darfur region provided that Khartoum be committed to the inclusive dialogue process and accept the pre-dialogue process.

“The SRF thus resolved that it is prepared to sign a six-month agreement for a Cessation of Hostilities for the purposes of: (1) protecting civilians; (2) providing unhindered humanitarian assistance; and (3) creating a conducive environment for the peace process and National Constitutional Dialogue,” he further said.

In press release issued on Wednesday, the official spokesperson for the Office of the SLM-AW leader, Mohamed Abdel Rahman al-Nayer, said they only attended the SRF meeting with the international special envoys on 9 September where they presented a position paper rejecting any negotiation with the Sudanese regime before to disarm the government militiamen and to protect civilians.

“The Movement did not participate in the discussions about the statement made on behalf of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front on September 14, 2014, and it does not represent the (SLM-AW’s position) in any way,” al-Nayer further said.

SRF factions including the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the SLM- Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) held a series of meetings in Paris from 10 to 14 September dedicated to the SRF road map for peace in Sudan and national dialogue.

Al-Nayer said the meeting asked them to “accept the principle of negotiating with the genocidal regime without conditions,” but they totally refused the demand.

He went further to accuse the organizers of expelling SLM-AW representatives Abdel Latif Abdel Rahman Abkr and Ahmed Ibrahim Youssef from the hotel where the rebel delegations were accommodated .

Since the peace process of Abuja, the SLM-AW refuses to participate in any negotiations with the government, saying Khartoum has used to dishonour the signed peace agreement.

The rebel group proposes that Khartoum unilaterally implements a number of measures aiming to restore security and ensure the return of villagers to their homeland. After what, the warring parties can engage in a process aiming to address the root causes of the conflict and not its consequences.

(ST)