SLM commander denies participation in West Kordofan attack

August 31, 2007 (LONDON) — A leading commander from the Sudan Liberation Movement has denied participation of his group in an attack against the positions of the Sudanese army in West Darfur state On Wednesday August 29.

Suleiman Marjan, one of the top commanders of the SLM, told Sudan Tribune, by satellite telephone that none of the commanders or the troops of the movement had taken part in the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM’s) attack against army base in Wad Banda, western Kordofan.

The rebel commander said the SLM is committed to the ceasefire agreement signed in 2004. He further said “We use force only to defend our self if we are attacked.” Marjan added that “Khartoum had used to involve our name in such action to justify its aggression against our people.”

He stressed that sometimes “We find it difficult to observe a ceasefire while the other party violates it every day. But we believe that Darfur crisis can’t be resolved through the arms.” However Marjan said to achieve this lasting and just peace we consider that there are some conditions that should be fulfilled.

The SLM says the security of the Darfur civilians should be ensured before the talks. Also it demands that international forces to be deployed.

The official SUNA reported today that 41 people were killed during the rebel attack against Wad Banda garrison. Wad-Banda is a Sudanese army stronghold, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Darfur.

(ST)