Darfur rebel groups support Slovene initiative

Feb 8, 2006 (LJUBLJANA) — The two main rebel factions in Darfur expressed their support for Slovene President Janez Drnovsek’s recently published peace plan, the official STA reported on Wednesday.

The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said that Drnovsek’s plan presents a good basis for concluding a peace deal. Both groups are ready to enter peace talks with the Sudanese government.

SLA and JEM are the two main armed groups fighting the Sudanese government and the government-supported Janjawid militias.

Earlier in the day Sudan’s president Omar al-Bashir also expressed his support for Drnovsek’s peace plan, labelling the initiative a friendly gesture stemming from a sincere and heartfelt desire to help in finding a lasting solution for the region.

The plan, outlined by Drnovsek in early February, includes a political solution that is similar to the one used to resolve the crisis in southern Sudan several years ago.

The plan also includes provisions for ensuring security and special provisions that deal with the involvement of the international community in the peace process.

(ST)