SLM’s Nour says ready to negotiate peace deal alone
Feb 10, 2006 (ABUJA) — The chairman of one of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) two factions, Abdelwahid Mohamed al-Nour has stressed the readiness by his faction to sign a just and comprehensive peace agreement with the Sudanese government.
Nour said the SLM would sign the agreement on its own without involving the other movements, pointing out to the alliance between the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and “Menni Minawi’s group”. He further said this alliance does not reflect seriousness in respect of the current peace talks.
UN envoy to Sudan Jan Pronk, and the AU’s envoy to the Sudanese peace process, Baba Gana Kingibe, said Darfur rebel SLA Minawi faction hindering peace talks and perpetrating violence in the region. Also, the rebel lack of interest in peace, and the continuing shifts of positions during the talks, all these provoked some disappointment among the mediators community.
In a press conference held today at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, he suggested to involve the IGAD in the AU sponsored peace talks. Also, he called up on the leaders of the others rebel factions asking them to be present in the talks to boost peace process.
Abdelwahed further demanded Khartoum to be more serious and make effective concessions to achieve peace.
Three members of a Darfur rebel JEM delegation to the peace talks in Abuja, brokered by the African Union (AU), have been expelled for assaulting two colleagues, the AU said Wednesday 1 February.
Sudanese government tried to capitalise on the disenchantment of the peace mediators. The spokesperson of the Sudanese government delegation to Darfur peace talks, Amin Hassan Omar, has accused the rebel groups of being evasive and not serious about reaching a peace in Darfur.
Abdelwahed who belongs to the biggest Fur tribe, seems frustrate by the recent alliance between the two Zagawah leaders: Khalid Ibrahim of JEM and Menni Minawi.
Regarding the future of his movement, Abdelwahed said that his group will hold a comprehensive conference for all the tribes and acting forces in Darfur to transform it in a political movement in case of signing a peace with the government.
In Darfur, observers and AU force are convinced that SLM-Abdelwahed is disciplined and represents Fur, Massalite and others African ethnic groups. While JEM and SLM-Minawi faction, both represent the Zagawah ethnic group.
(ST)