Sudan’s SPLM postpones Juba meeting for Darfur rebels
June 16, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has postponed a meeting to Darfur rebel leaders after failing to convince all the non signatories rebel leaders to attend the conference.
In an expected move, the SPLM announced today the postponement sine die of a conference for the holdout rebel groups in Darfur in order to determine a common position before the peace talks mediated by the African Union and the United Nations.
Edward Lino said told the press on Saturday that Salva Kiir decided to postpone the meeting on the request of the UN, AU and Canada who were involved in the preparation of Juba conference.
Informed sources told Sudan Tribune that the UN-AU had agreed with the First Vice President on the objective of the conference but it was difficult to agree on a clear agenda with the SPLM team in charge of the file. Also, the SPLM didn’t finalize the funding of the conference and the question is still debated with the donors.
On the other hand, different rebel groups invited to the conference declined the invitation. If Abdelwahid Al-Nur who was a close ally of the SPLM rejected publicly the invitation, other groups also are not enthusiast to attend it. Some consider it as lost of time while other feel too weak and fear to be marginalized.
Also, the invitation launched by the SPLM to many tribal leaders and IDPs representatives created confusion on the spirit of the meeting. Is it to find a common ground between the rebel groups or it aims to consult them and eventually choose representatives form these entities to involve them in the expected talks besides the rebel.
The post Abuja talks aims to complete the existing accords signed between the Sudanese government and a rebel faction led by Minni Minawi on May 2006. Sudan said it is poised to discuss a supplementary document to be added to the Darfur Peace Agreement.
Presidential adviser Mansour Khalid told the press that SPLM initiative for Darfur peace process aims to facilitate international and regional efforts to resolve the on going crisis in the western part of the country.
Khalid stated on Friday that the SPLM undertakes a facilitating role, more than a mediation role, because the SPLM is part of the National Unity Government and consequently it is not possible for it to play the role of a mediator.
Khalid made this statement after a meeting held on Friday June 15 at the Presidential Palace where First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit, discussed with the representatives of the UN, AU, the SPLM’s initiative for a solution in Darfur.
The presidential adviser further said the SPLM has no solution to propose but intends to reunite the position of the rebel groups.
UN Representative Abidon Bashwa told the press “We are optimistic about the SPLM role and about responsiveness by the Darfur movements, if they are keen on the safety of their people.” He added.
(ST)