JEM leader says govt attacks may compromise Darfur peace talks
September 11, 2007 (PARIS) — The leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Khalil Ibrahim, called upon the international community to put pressure on Khartoum to stop escalation of violence in Darfur region, emphasizing that attacks may compromise the forthcoming talks.
Khalil said “If the government continues to warring like this that means they would endanger the peace process,” adding “I do not expect that peace process can start on 27 October if war continues.”
He said that Sudanese government carried Monday’s attack against the position of JEM forces in Haskanita, in north Darfur, because it intends to control the maximum of territory before the deployment of the Hybrid Operation troops.
Further, the rebel leader accused Khartoum of trying to kill him. Khalil was there as he met AU-UN delegation in the same place, and Sudanese army was informed of the meeting.
JEM leader further said “By doing this kind of war, Khartoum wants to have a military solution.”
Sudanese government planes bombed a rebel-controlled town in Darfur on Monday, two Darfur rebel groups said. They indicated that government aircraft bombed Haskanita then ground forces entered the town in northern Darfur.
Khartoum signed a joint communique with the United Nations last week that included pledges to cease hostilities in Darfur, prepare for the arrival of a 26,000-strong joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission, and lay the foundations for peace talks in Libya on Oct. 27.
(ST)