Rebel JEM welcomes Darfur peacekeeping mission
August 1, 2007 (LONDON) — The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has welcomed the unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council of the resolution 1796 providing the deployment of 26000 peacekeepers in the war-torn province of Darfur.
Ahmed Hussein Adam, the JEM spokesperson told Sudan Tribune that “this resolution is a victory for the Darfur people.” Adding that UN Security Council decision mandates the hybrid peacekeeping force to protect Darfur civilians and secure the humanitarian aid.
Ahmed considered this resolution as breakthrough because the African troops have no mandate to protect Darfur civilians and prevent the daily killing on the ground.
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the peacekeeping force is mandated to protect its personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its own personnel and humanitarian workers.
However, he urged the international community to pressurize Khartoum and to follow closely the full implementation of the resolution 1769. “We know very much that within this regime there are those who are opposed to the peacekeeping forces and they would obstruct its deployment” he said.
According to the rebel spokesperson who was en rout to Arusha to participate in preparatory meeting organized by the AU-UN mediators for the rebel groups, there are within the ruling National Congress Party a faction opposed to the political solution of the conflict and to the peacekeeping force.
“World should know that this regime is divided and there are some who work only for a military solution.” He warned. “So, we urge the international community to keep pressure on the Sudanese government in order to settle this conflict politically.”
He said that JEM is fully disposed to collaborate with the peacekeepers in order to facilitate their mission on the ground. Further, he urged the AU-UN troops to hold dialogue with the armed movement for the benefit of peace and security in the region.
Nonetheless he deplored the absence of a clear mention to the disarmament of the Janjaweed militia indicating that they are the main tool of Khartoum to commit genocide in Darfur. He also regretted that the 1796 resolution is void from any reference to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its role to achieve justice in Darfur.
The UN-African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is the world’s biggest peacekeeping operation. The U.N. resolution authorizes up to 19,555 military personnel and 6,432 civilian police, although it could take many months to get countries to send them. The operation is expected to cost $2 billion in the first year.
(ST)