Rebels urge UN support for Darfur field commanders meeting
July 16, 2007 (PARIS) — A leading rebel commander has urged the UN and the African Union to support Darfur commanders meeting instead of backing phantom structures invented by regional actors for their own interest.
The field commander of the Sudan Liberation Army, Suleiman Marjan, told Sudan Tribune by satellite telephone late in the evening that the United Nations and the African Union would better help peace realization in Darfur region if they support the holding of Darfur field commanders conference instead of backing fictitious groups created by regional actors.
He disclosed to Sudan Tribune that they informed an AU-UN delegation led by Sam Ibok and Pekka Haavisto last month of their need to gather the SLM/A commanders from the different parts of Darfur. He further added that they suggested to hold this meeting abroad in Kenya precisely.
Marjan, who is the top commander of the SLA troops in North Darfur, underscored that the delegation pledged to provide the necessary support but since they never had any contact from them.
“We urge the AU and the UN to support our efforts instead of giving money to countries that work to divide our people and create new bodies with no existence on the ground”, Marjan said.
Five Darfur rebel groups agreed on Saturday to unite ahead of possible peace talks to end a four-year conflict in the region. The creation of the United Front for Liberation and Development (UFLD) was supported by the Eritrean government.
Commenting the result of the international meeting on Darfur peace process held in Tripoli, Marjan said that the choice of the representatives for the talks should not be determined in any case by the international community. Adding, “We are able to resolve our difference we just need the help of the UN to hold this meeting.”
He also said that only the two main groups (SLM and JEM) should be convened to the peace talks.
The international meeting in Tripoli agreed to hold a meeting for the leading personalities of the non signatory groups in Arusha, the north of Tanzania, from 3-5 August. The talks should start in the beginning of September.
Ahmed Tughod Lissan, a top negotiator for the Justice and Equality Movement told the AP yesterday “The influential (rebel) movements should be engaged in finding the solution and not small splinter groups that do not truly represent the Darfur people.”
(ST)