Darfur rebel group regrets US sanctions against its leader
June 6, 2007 (LONDON) — The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has regretted sanctions imposed by the US administration against its leader. The rebel group however hailed Washington humanitarian aid to Darfur people and its efforts for peace in the troubled region.
The spokesperson of the JEM, Ahmed Hussein Adam, expressed regrets that the name of Khalil Ibrahim, the chairman of the rebel group, has being included in the additional sanctions imposed on Sudanese officials and companies last week.
Adam said the JEM chairman is a man of peace and to sanction him with the responsible of crimes against humanity and genocide is unwise step, adding “we hope that US Administration can reconsider its decision soon”.
On May 29, the U.S. Treasury has blocked the assets of three Sudanese individuals, including two high-ranking government officials and a rebel leader, for their roles in fomenting violence and human rights abuses in Darfur.
“The JEM is responsible for violence and suffering in Darfur and Khalil Ibrahim, as leader of the JEM, is personally responsible for rebel activity aimed at further destabilizing the situation on the ground.” The Treasury said.
Adam further praised the continual humanitarian assistance provided by the US to displaced and refugees and efforts exerted to achieve peace in the western region of Sudan.
However, the JEM spokesperson reminded that the US has a pivotal role in the resolution of the Darfur conflict, “and we are seeking to engage dialogue with Washington in order to explain our position and we reaffirm once again that we have no any hostile position against the American administration even we consider it as friend” he further said.
In an interview with Sudan Tribune last April a State Department official said the JEM leader was bringing up issues that were irrelevant to the Darfur crisis at the Abuja talks. He further mentioned that Ibrahim’s agenda is that of Hassan Turabi, the head of the opposition Popular Congress Party and an ex-ally of President Bashir.
(ST)