South Sudan’s Machar, JEM delegation discuss Darfur peace efforts
October 20, 2007 (JUBA) — A rebel Justice and equality Movement (JEM) delegation met today with the southern Sudan vice-president. The delegation praised SPLM efforts to reunite Darfur movements and the proposals presented in this respect.
Riek Machar discussed on Saturday with a JEM delegation the SPLM efforts to find common ground between the Darfur rebel groups before the next week peace talks scheduled to begin on October 27, Ahmed Hussein Adam , JEM spokesperson told Sudan Tribune in Juba.
Ahmed, who is also, in charge of the relations with the SPLM, said they welcomed the ongoing efforts exerted by the SPLM in spite of the critical political crisis with the National Congress Party (NCP) over the implementation of peace agreement. He added that these efforts reflect the strategic alliance between “forces of the margin “.
The rebel spokesperson further said that Machar informed JEM delegation about the objectives of Juba meeting.
The ongoing meeting aims to find common ground between the different rebel groups, further it ambitions to find ways to have one rebel delegation for Serte talks with the Sudanese government, Ahmed explained.
He disclosed that there are attempts to form one delegations form the various Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) factions. Also all the JEM factions are requested to from one delegation. These steps are necessary towards the formation of one rebel delegation, Ahmed underscored.
JEM delegation hailed the move towards the reunification. However, the delegation said that only representative groups should participate in the peace talks.
The leader of the Justice and Equality Movement, Khalil Ibrahim, threatened in different statement to boycott Serte peace conference unless only one delegation from JEM and one from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) attend the talk.
Ahmed also said that Machar is in direct contact with JEM leader, Khalil Ibrahim. He said his movement is keen to attend Juba consultations meeting also because they do believe that political forces in southern and western Sudan share a common vision for peace, development and democracy in the country.
He also expressed the support of his movement to the SPLM for suspending its participation in the national cabinet. Ahmed said NCP should understand that the CPA is the main pillar for peace in Darfur also, and its full implementation is a matter of concern for all the democratic and the marginalized forces.
The southern Sudan People’s Liberation Movement pulled its ministers from the government on Thursday October 11 in a dispute over the 2005 peace agreement.
(ST)