Darfur JEM says ready for talks with Sudan under AU-UN auspices
June 5, 2007 (LONDON) — A Darfur rebel group has reaffirmed its commitment to engage peace talks with the Sudanese government. However it requested the African Union and the United Nations to contain regional initiatives and to play their leading in the mediation.
The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) reiterated its readiness to start peace talks with the Sudanese government within the framework of the AU and the UN efforts. The group however urged the AU and the UN to play a leading role in the peace process as it is agreed in the high level meeting of November 16, 2006.
Ahmed Hussein Adam, the JEM spokesperson told the Sudan Tribune that a joint AU-UN delegation headed by Sam Ibok of the AU and Pekka Haavisto from the UN held a meeting on Sunday June 3 with the JEM chairman, Khalil Ibrahim, in undetermined area in Darfur to discuss road map for peace and explore ways to end the four-year conflict in western Sudan.
According to Adam, the rebel leader expressed to the joint delegation JEM’s keenness that the expected negotiations realize a genuine and comprehensive peace in the country. Khalil Ibarhim said Abuja accords should not be the reference point but talks can go beyond the peace pact signed last year if needed; “because our ultimate goal is to achieve peace and not preserve failing deals”.
He further informed the visiting delegation that talks at a first stage of the talks can be focused on the cardinal issues — like the creation of one administrative entity in Darfur, the wealth sharing — and when an outline agreement is reached, the parties should recommit themselves to a ceasefire.
Asked whether JEM does not acknowledge the ceasefire agreement reached in 2004 with Khartoum, the spokesperson said “it is the Sudanese president al-Bashir who does not respect this ceasefire agreement”. Adam further reiterated that the full cessation of hostilities is required to pursue negotiations with Khartoum.
In this regard, he reminded that international community should exert important efforts to force Sudanese army and its militias to stop regular attacks on Darfur civilians.
Adam, who seemed unhappy with the Eritrean efforts to convince two of the member of the National Redemption Front (NRF) to sign a peace deal with Khartoum said that Eritrea and other regional actors should not trouble the ongoing efforts of the AU and the UN to organize peace talks for Darfur conflict parties.
The rebel JEM spokesman denied press statements saying JEM will negotiate alone with the government. He underscored that the main objective of his group is to realize a comprehensive peace in the country and the signing of a separate deal with Khartoum will complicate efforts for peace.
Nonetheless, Adam urged the different factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) to reunite and to adopt one position before the peace talks. “I call on our brothers in struggle to reunite because Khartoum exploits their division to strengthen its position and we are confident that the ongoing effort for the reunification of the SLM will prevail” he added.
He also, hailed efforts exerted by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the personal commitment of its leader First Vice President Salva Kiir for peace in Darfur. However he urged the SPLM leadership to have a clear stand and to condemn positions of some SPLM officials against Darfur movements. He further said that the SPLM needs to enhance its contact with them and the other Darfur groups.
Adam comments comes in reaction of a statement made last week by the Sudan’s Ambassador to the USA and SPLM affiliated who described Darfur non signatories groups as terrorists. The silence of the SPLM over this statement irritates Darfur rebel groups. Only the office of Washington condemned the stance of the Sudanese envoy.
(ST)