SLA-Abdelshafi arrives in Libya for Darfur meeting

Feb 21, 2007 (PARIS) — A Darfur rebel group announced the arrival of its leader to Tripoli in response of invitation from the Libyan leader.

A Sudan Liberation Army faction led by Ahmed Abdelshafi said its leader has arrived in the Libyan capital Tripoli. Muammar Gadhafi invited the Darfur holdout rebel groups to listen to their points of view on the resolution of the conflict.

According to the SLM spokespersons, Gaffar Monro, Abdelshafi’s visit to Tripoli does not mean a change in the initial stance of the group: no peace talks before the reunification of all the factions of the SLM.

The Tripoli meeting between Libyan Gadhafi, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Chad’s Idriss Deby and Eritrean leader Isaias Afewerki was to discuss “means of boosting peace and guaranteeing stability in Darfur”, the Libyan state news agency Jana said.

While SLM-Abdelwahid al-Nur maitains its rejection to participate in this meeting, different sources confirmed that groups members of the NRF arrived yesterday to Tripoli. Among them there are Khalil Ibrahim of JEM, Sharif Harir of the Federal alliance, Khamis Abakr and Adam Bakheit both from SLA factions.

(ST)

Below the text of the press release issued by SLM/A faction led by Ahmed Abdelshafi.

Feb 21, 2007 — In his quest, to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the Darfur crisis, and strengthening the ties between the SLM and neighboring countries, Commander Ahmed Abdelshafi has arrived today in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Abdelshafi accepted an invitation from the Libyan Leader’s Muammar Gaddafi to hold consultations with all non-signatories to Abuja Agreement. The SLM reaffirms its commitment to resolve the Darfur crisis through peaceful means as peace is SLM’s strategic objective.

The SLM, however, stands firm and will not engage in any peace talks with the Government of Sudan prior to concluding its current plan with regard to re-unifying all its factions, which is expected to be realized in the very near future. Equally important, the SLM and other armed movements in Darfur shall establish a “common ground” prior to the start of any future talks.

The SLM would like to express its gratitude to Libya, and the neighboring countries for their efforts to put an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur, in addition to, their efforts to reverse the security situation in the region which made the intervention of the UN peacekeeping forces much more inevitable. The SLM would also like to assure its members and the people of Darfur that, the Movement is pressing ahead with its original plan until the demands of the people of Darfur are fully realized.

– Jaffer Monro, Spokesperson
– Sudan Liberation Movement/Army
– Paris: Phone: +33633935298