Splinters rebels join Darfur peace, holdout urge talks

June 9, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The African Union announced that splinter leaders from two rebel groups that rejected the Darfur Peace Agreement last month have signed a document pledging to abide by its principles.

The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) of Abdelwahid al-Nur and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) of Khalil Ibrahim has refused to sign the DPA and officials from the Africa Union, which backed the accord, had become increasingly frustrated with the holdouts.

The AU announced in Addis Ababa on Thursday 8 June in a press statement that three SLM al-Nur and one JEM leaders signed a Declaration of Commitment to the Darfur Peace Agreement. The names of the leaders are Dr. Abdel Rahman Musa Abbaker (chief negotiator for the SLM/A Abdul Wahid), Engineer Ibrahim Madibo (chief negotiator for the SLM/A Abdul Wahid for power-sharing), Commander Adam Saleh Abbaker (representative of the military commanders of SLM/A Abdul Wahid) and Ustaz Abdel Raheem Adam Abdel Raheem Abu Risha (General Secretary for JEM, Southern Darfur).

On the same time in Asmara, the holdout leaders urged the international community to review it “wrong stand” an open talks with them. They also appealed Minni Minawi the leader if the main SLM faction who signed the DPA with the Sudanese government to join them expressing their understanding to huge pressures exerted on him.

Asmara statement is signed by Abdelwhaid al-Nur of SLM, Khalil Ibrahim of JEM, Ahmed Ibrahim Diraige, the chairman of the Federal Democratic Alliance (FDA) and former Darfur governor, Dr Sharif Harir from FDA and former SLM leading member and Khamis Abdallah Abakar the former SLA vice-president and leader of the Massaleit component of the SLA faction who was among the 19 commanders wanted to freeze Abdel Wahid out earlier on during this 7th round at the end of last year.

Thirty representatives, including commanders and politicians from the splinter wings of the SLM/A and JEM, signed the declaration at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. “With this declaration, we are committing ourselves to the agreement in the same way as the other signatories and are hoping that it allows peace in Darfur,” said Abdurahman Musa Abbakar of the SLM/A.

The leader of JEM’s dissident group, Abdurahman Adam Abdurahman Aburisha, said the signing was a “historic moment” for Sudan. “I want to invite all people to adopt this peace agreement because this agreement belongs to all Sudanese and their neighbours,” he said. “We will do everything possible to ensure that this agreement will be implemented. We are committed to it. We call on the people who are still fighting to allow the Darfurians to step out of war and to taste the fruit of peace.”

The AU’s special representative in Sudan, Baba Gana Kingibe, praised both groups. “The peace process has started, and those who haven’t signed yet should rather jump on the train soon. If not, sooner or later, the Darfur people won’t give them the choice,” he said.

The pan-African body’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, Said Djinnit, said a ministerial meeting would be held in Banjul, the Gambian capital, in July to discuss what measures would be taken against recalcitrant rebel groups.