Hybrid force commander, JEM leader discuss Darfur peace process

October 18, 2007 (AL-FASHER) — The commander of the hybrid force today held talks with the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in order to ensure commitment of the Darfur conflict parties to the ceasefire and ongoing political process.

The AU-UN Hybrid Force Commander, and Chairman of the Cease Fire Commission, General Martin Luther Agwai, held talks, on Thursday with the chairman of the rebel JEM, Khalil Ibrahim at an unknown location on the Sudan-Chad border in north west, the African Union Mission in Sudan said today in a press statement.

The statement said this meeting “falls within the context of his efforts to obtain the cooperation and commitment of all parties towards attainment of peace and security in Darfur, and called on all parties to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the Tripoli Talks to find a political solution, adding that there can not be a military solution to the Darfur conflict.”

The rebel leader “pledged his support and cooperation, and those of his movement, with the AMIS leadership as well as the leadership of the hybrid mission.”

Last month Khalil Ibrahim said he would carry on fighting during upcoming peace talks until a final settlement is reached to end the conflict in western Sudan.

He further threatened to boycott the AU-UN mediated peace talks set to begin in Libya on October 27. He described the forthcoming talks as ill-prepared and slow.

“The AU and U.N. mediation until now have failed to detail very precisely who will be invited to the peace talks,” he said, adding that only one delegation from JEM and one from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) should be allowed to attend.

According to the AMIS statement the rebel leader expressed concerns about the credibility and legality of those being invited to the Tripoli Talks, adding that the people of Darfur want something credible, of which they can take ownership.

Khalil also expressed the need for all Dafurians to properly articulate their positions before the Tripoli Talks; in his words, “we want to converge, not diverge”. He also emphasized the need for ceasefire, and most importantly, a political framework with the government before the cease fire in order to make the process workable

General Agwai promised to raise rebel’s concerns with the political leadership of the African Union with the view to addressing them before the Sirte talks, but cautioned them on the need to be flexible in order to achieve negotiated peace so that those displaced can return to their original homes and continue with their normal economic activities.

(ST)