SLM al-Nur urges AU Salim to not complicate Darfur crisis
August 26, 2007 (LONDON) — The leader of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement has dismissed a call to rejoin Darfur talks process launched today by the African Union envoy to Darfur. He urged him to not complicate the resolution of Darfur crisis
Commenting a statement by Salim Ahmed Salim during a visit to his birthplace town of Zalengei today, Abdelwahid al-Nur urged the AU envoy to “not mislead the international community and increase the suffering of Darfur civilians.”
Salim called today on Abdelwahid al-Nur to joint the AU-UN map road for peace in Darfur. However, he admitted for the first time al-Nur demand for security before talks but he portrayed it as an exaggeration by the rebel leader.
“I accept Abdelwahed’s position,” he said. “(But) what I don’t accept is to say that unless we have absolute security it is not worth it, because at the end of the day it is the negotiations which will ensure durable security.”
Abdelwahid said that Salim as broker of Abuja deal has to ask Khartoum to disarm the Janjaweed militia before inviting the non signatories to join this inexistent agreement. According to Abuja peace deal Sudan had to disarm the militia before October 15.
“The AU envoy should not turn a blind eye to the reality. I call him to not mislead the world or to complicate the current crisis and provoke more suffering for our people on the ground. If he is sincere in his will for peace in Darfur Salim has to ask Khartoum to disarm the militia, and to stop the resettlement of newcomers from Arab tribes from Chad and Niger.” He also has to wait for the deployment of the international troops on the ground before the talks.” He added.
Further the rebel leader said “I’m asking Khartoum to stop the violence before the talks. “We can’t negotiate while Khartoum continues to impose its military solution.” He also said that Salim has to realize the number of the killed or displaced persons in Darfur since May 2006, date of Abuja agreement.
SANCTION ARMS EMBARGO VIOLATIONS
The rebel leader urged the UN Security Council to sanction Sudan’s violation of arms embargo in Darfur following photos published by Amnesty International last week.
Adelwahid said his movement has similar reports and can provide more on Sudanese government violation of the UN resolution 1591. “We have many evidences in this regard. The problem that international community gives credibility only to international institutions or IONG.” He said.
Last April a confidential report by a panel of five experts confirmed that Khartoum continues to violate “the (U.N.) arms embargo by transferring equipment and related weapons into Darfur.”
(ST)