President Deby demands Darfur rebels to quit Chad

May 27, 2007 (PARIS) — While preparations are going on to receive president Idriss deby in Khartoum, Chad has demanded different Darfur rebel groups to quit its territory.

In accordance with the dispositions of Ryiadh reconciliation agreement signed between the two countries on May 3, Chadian authorities requested the different Darfur rebel groups based in its territory to leave the country.

Different sources told Sudan Tribune, that leaders of the rebel National Redemption Front (NRF) factions and other Darfur rebel groups have already left Chad. Some of them are currently in Asmara while others departed to other African and European capitals.

Eritrean government which is working closely with Chad on a peace initiative sent an airplane to transport any rebel leader accepting to go to Asmara. According to Sudan Tribune sources, all of them left Chad, only the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) preferred to go to undetermined area in Darfur.

In spite of its rejection of Abuja agreement, the JEM is signatory of Abeche ceasefire agreement in 2004 and represented in the Ceasefire Commission in Al-Fasher, North Darfur.

The UN mission in Sudan said today in its daily bulletin that about 1,000 Sudanese rebels had crossed the border from Chad into Darfur and were concentrating in the area northwest of Masterei, (45 kilometres southwest of El Geneina).

According to Sudan Tribune information, Asmara has informed Khartoum of the move and intends to put pressure on the rebel groups to set up the executive body of the NRF. However, the refusal of Khalil Ibrahim to go Asmara may hinder the Eritrean efforts.

Observers are wondering why Asmara wants at all costs to reunite Darfur rebel groups at a time that the UN and the African Union opted for the proposal of the Sudanese first vice president to hold a conference to help the rebel groups to define their demands before peace talks with Khartoum.

Also, different rebel groups, knowing Asmara intention to exclude the UN and the US, have rejected the Eritrean mediation because they want the participation of the international community, the only guarantee for the implementation of any accord with the Sudanese government.

The Sudanese defense minister accompanied by Director of National Security and Intelligence service Salah Abdalla Gosh had conducted a short visit to Chad on Sunday May 13 during which they met the Chadian president, Idriss Deby, and discussed the implementation of security and military arrangements as it agreed in Riyadh and Tripoli agreements.

Observers say president Deby is keen to implement Riyadh agreement because his fragile regime will be secured by this deal.

(ST)