JEM is keen to the success of Darfur rebels meeting – spokesperson
August 4, 2007 (ARUSHA, northern Tanzania) — Spokesperson of the Justice and Equality Movement has said that rebel forces attending Arusha consultations are very keen to the success of this rebel meeting and to pave the way for serious talks with Khartoum in the coming months.
Ahmed Hussein Adam, the official spokesperson of JEM, said to Sudan Tribune that “all the rebel groups here in Arusha are representatives of the true forces on the ground.” Adding, that they are firmly determined to come out with a strong message of unity.
Ahmed also further said that the rebels group will take this opportunity of Arusha to coordinate positions between the movements present in Arush. On the other hand we work hard to prepare for the peace talks jointly with mediators.
Arusha meeting is convened by the AU and the UN envoys to Darfur in order to find common ground between the rebel groups opposed to Abuja peace agreement before the peace talks with Khartoum. Salim Ahmed Salim the Au envoy told the rebels yesterday that aim of the meeting is to “create the necessary and conductive environment” for the political process and to listen to their “vision for peace in Darfur.”
JEM official showed optimism towards the spirit of the mediators and their will to carry out the mediation in total collaboration with rebel movements.
“I’m very confident the mediators would do their best to make us real partners in the political process. “Their point of view on this regard is compatible with our concern;” he said
Yesterday Ahmed told Sudan Tribune that a new peace strategy is warranted. He suggested that mediators should take in account rebels’ opinion in the procedural arrangements “because some times they are crucial.”
“We are resolved to reach an agreement over the main issues of the talks with Khartoum also we intend to send a strong signal that the political process to end Darfur crisis has started here in Arusha.”
Ahmed praised the arrival of the field commanders to the talks adding that JEM considers their participation necessary to the success of Arusha meeting. He also said that this gathering would “give us a good opportunity to tackle joint concerns.”
JEM has agreed in Tripoli last week with two SLM factions led by Ahdalla Yahya and Ahmed Abdelshafi to work together during the peace process. The Tripoli alliance seems directed against the Eritrean sponsored coalition of some five factions which participate also the meeting.
Field commanders from the different rebel groups arrived today in Arusha; two of the leading SLM commanders Sueliman Marjan and Jarelnai Abdelkarim are among these rebel commanders. More than a week they told Sudan Tribune that they were not invited and had no intention to attend this meeting.
However, it seems they received some assurance from Pekke Haavisto, special advisor to UN envoy to Darfur, regarding their participation in the meeting.
Adelwahid al-Nur, the SLM leaser said peace talks meaningless without the deployment of the international troops in Darfur. He demands Khartoum to stop the killing of Darfur civilians before the political process.
Suleiman Jamous, an influential rebel figure is also didn’t be able to attend the meeting. He is confined in a UN hospital in Kadugli, south Kordofan. Sudan had promised to allow his participation but clearly the mediators have failed to secure it.
(ST)