Sudan’s JEM defends appointments to Al Jazirah project committee

March 8, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on Saturday defended its members’ appointment to a committee tasked with rebuilding the Al Jazirah agricultural project, saying they were landowners and elected farmers’ representatives.

The appointment of three JEM members to the committee for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Al Jazirah, Rahad, and Agricultural Research Corporation projects had drawn criticism.

JEM spokesman Mohamed Zakaria said in a statement that the selected members were farmers and landowners in Al Jazirah and Managil. He added they had been elected to lead farmers’ organizations in recent elections and were qualified for public service. Political affiliation, he said, should not disqualify citizens from participating in public work.

The appointments coincided with accusations of widespread recruitment among residents of “Kanabi,” settlements on irrigation canals where farmers work for wages.

Zakaria said JEM supported farmers’ causes in the Al Jazirah and other projects.

He accused political forces allied with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of spreading false claims that JEM sought to weaken the Al Jazirah project, saying it was an attempt to destabilize social cohesion for political gain.

He said criticism of the committee was a reaction to JEM’s “Returning” initiative, which helped thousands of residents return to Al Jazirah and Sennar states after fleeing RSF abuses.

JEM, led by Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim, is fighting alongside the army against the RSF, with its forces deployed in Al Jazirah, Khartoum, the Northern State, and North Darfur.