Darfur rebel JEM accuses Sudan, Chad of planning “military offensive”
Sept 12, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The Darfur rebels Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has accused the Sudanese government and its ally, Chad, of advancing a military offensive against it.
In a press statement, it said that the Sudanese government forces, supported by Chadian forces, were preparing to carry out an extensive military offensive, where heavy artillery and aircraft would be used to tear up the peace process and bring the situation back to a tragic square one.
Last June 2005, Darfur rebel JEM objected the participation of the Chadian government as co- mediator in the peace talks held in Abuja. JEM accused the Ndjamena government of bias.
Since the war began, between 180,000 and 300,000 people are estimated to have been killed and 2.4 million displaced from their homes while some some 200,000 have fled into Chad.
The following is the full text of the statement:
Statement from the Justice and Equality Movement of Sudan regarding Sudan and Chad governments’ scheme to attack forces of the Movement:
At a time when the Sudanese JEM was getting ready for the sixth round of talks in Abuja on 15 September 2005, and the eyes and hearts of all the Darfur and Sudanese people, as well as the international community, were turned towards this round hoping that a comprehensive political settlement would be reached for the crisis that will end the humanitarian suffering and insecurity in Darfur, under such conditions, the Sudanese government and its ally, Chad, are trying to advance a military offensive against the JEM, by launching an extensive military offensive, using heavy artillery and aircraft, and supported by Chadian forces, to blow up the peace process and bring the situation back to square one.
The Sudanese government would like to disown the cease-fire agreements and the peace process by using its ally and supporter in the region, the Chadian government, to attack the JEM, knowing that it is a violation of the cease-fire.
Since the JEM is being targeted, it would like to affirm to the international community and the Sudanese and Darfur people the following facts:
1. The offensive which the Sudanese government and its ally Chad are carrying out is considered an end to the cease-fire and a retrogression of the situation back to the tragic square one.
2. Any attack on the movement means an end to the peace process and the government’s unwillingness to reach a just political solution for the Darfur issue.
3. The movement holds the Sudanese and Chadian government responsible for escalating the military security situation in Darfur and for whatever may happen as a result.
4. The Movement is drawing attention to the international community, the UN, EU, AU, Arab League, USA, Britain, France, Libya, Eritrea, Germany, Canada, and all those countries concerned with the peace process in Darfur, urging them to stop the Sudanese government from tampering with international will.
5. In case of an attack, the Movement affirms that it is able to retaliate against any attack just as it did, more than once, in the past.
Idriss Ibrahim Azraq
Secretary of information and culture secretariat and official spokesman of the movement
11 September 2005