Darfur rebel group blast UN-AU mediation
October 23, 2007 (JUBA) — The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction led by Ahmed Abdelshafi confirmed today they will not go to Libya and will not talk part in the forthcoming peace talks set to start on October 27.
“We want to create a common ground for the rebel factions” he said.
To explain their refusal to take part in the negotiations, Nouri blamed the Sudanese government for the increasing violence in the Darfur camps. He said the ongoing attacks against the civilians do not facilitate the resumption of the talks. “These attacks do not create a conducive environment.”
The rebel top aide, said that the current impasse in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) means that they have to be prudent when negotiating with Khartoum which requires more preparation and reunification of the rebel groups.
He also said “We do not believe that the Sudanese government will relief up to any agreement.”
All the Darfur rebel groups participating in Juba consultations say that the one week meeting was very fruitful. Different rebel delegates told Sudan Tribune they have made progress on the reunification process.
On the other hand, Nouri charged the AU and UN chiefs are ignoring the rebel enquires and do not consult them.
The senior aide also said Abdel-Shafi had sent a letter to the UN Secretary General and to AU chief requesting that the rebel groups are treated as equal partners in the peace process and not to focus solely on the Sudanese government.
However he expressed regret that they received no response as of yet.
The rebel group also said they proposed to the mediation to cooperate closely with the rebel groups in order to clarify the basis of the peace talks in their letter of last September.
Asked about the time that the reunification process will take, Nouri said “we need about 3 or 4 weeks for it to conclude”.
(ST)