Chad releases arrested Darfur rebel JEM leaders

Aug 23, 2006 (N’DJAMENA) — Chadian authorities released yesterday night the three Darfur rebel leaders arrested earlier in the same day. Rebel sources denied reports that the detainees had been turned over to African Union (AU) officials.

The three leading members, of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), have being released Wednesday night by the Chadian security service. “They had just being interrogated on their political activities and released after half hour” a rebel JEM member said.

The rebel movement also indicated that just only three members were detained: The JEM Secretary General Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, the chief JEM negotiator, Ahmed Tugod Lissan, and the leading member Omar Bakheit are among the arrested leaders of the rebel movement.

Chad’s Foreign Minister Ahmat Allam-mi told Reuters Wednesday the leaders of the JEM would be handed to the African Union. JEM did not sign a peace deal for Darfur brokered by the AU and signed in Abuja, Nigeria in May.

“These detentions come in the light of the Abuja peace deal and in the light of our obligations from the Tripoli accord,” Allam-mi said.

JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim said the detained leaders had done nothing wrong and called on Chad’s President Idriss Deby to order their release.

Chad and Sudan committed themselves earlier this month to an accord signed in February brokered by the Libyan leader. In accordance with Tripoli agreement the two neighboring countries must not to harbour rebels in one another’s territory.

Chad severed ties with Sudan in April accusing Khartoum of supporting rebel groups.

(ST)