Darfur rebel groups form two movements in Juba
By Isaac Vuni
November 29, 2007 (JUBA, Sudan) — Darfur rebel movements have finally united under two major groups and ready to negotiate with Khartoum government in any part of the world, the spokesman of the unified groups, Mohamed Ali has declared.
Speaking at the closing ceremony today in Juba Hotel, Mohamed Ali further declared that they will never again fight among themselves since they have adopted a common position to resolving their crises in Darfur.
Speaking with confidence in a parked hall, Ali appeal to all those Darfurians who are still out side Juba declaration of unification to quickly come on board.
The delighted SPLM Chairman and President of the Government of Southern Sudan who is also the first Vice President of the Republic of Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit told the rebel groups who are now reduced from more than ten to two major groups that their unity is a vital prerequisite for finding a sustainable peace in Darfur and other marginalized areas of Sudan as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
“I am so delighted today that you have kept your promise of not leave Juba until you are united” With today unity, you are ready to negotiate with confidence even without anybody;” Kiir said.
“Today your unity have offered to our suffering people in Darfur a hope that peace is within achievable reach, I would like you to go to Darfur with message of unity and peace to our people in Darfur;” added SPLM boss.
Salva Kiir further urges the united groups to also work hard to bring on board those few who are still hanging on fence.
Nevertheless, president Kiir said he has not yet given up in his efforts to engage comrade Abdelwahid al-Nur and other Darfur leaders because he believed that they have important role to play in Darfur peace process.
“Although you have united into two groups, I am still hopeful that you will continue to engage so as to merge into one stronger group or separate two groups with strong coalition.” He reminded Darfurians of former South African president Nelson Mandela saying that, “To struggle separately allows the other side to pick you one by one and finishes you”.
Lt. General Salva Kiir Matardit, the first vice president of the republic of Sudan and president government of southern Sudan has said reiterated that Darfur conflict is of political issue that need to be solved politically through peaceful means.
Adding that any attempts to divide the people of Darfur with aim of weakening them in order to accept any peace is not healthy and it will only bring fragile peace that will not be sustainable.
“That such crooked peace deal has been tried between SPLM and Khartoum government but did not work; therefore it’s important for Darfur movements to learn from such experiences;” advised Kiir .
Kiir emphasized that SPLM is committed to finding a just and lasting peace in Darfur through unification initiatives among the Darfurian movements around a common position with one delegation to negotiate peace with Khartoum government.
Despite SPLM meager resources, it has committed itself to support peace process in Darfur as part of GoSS national commitment to finding a comprehensive peace in all parts of Sudan, assured Kiir.
“In our efforts to bringing Darfurian movements together, I sent my Vice President, Riek Machar, to convince Mr. Abdelwahd al-Nur and other Darfur rebel leaders to commit themselves to a peaceful resolution of Darfur crisis without any preconditions and to unify their ranks for finding peaceful solutions to Darfur conflict.”
Kiir said SPLM has been and is in full support of the United Nations Security Council resolutions No1706 for deployment of UN Forces and resolution no.1765 for Hybrid Forces in as basis for saving and protecting innocent lives in Darfur by ensuring provision of humanitarian assistance to Darfur people.
The united Darfur parties express their appreciation to Sudan’s neighbouring countries of Chad, Eritrea, Lybia, Egypt and Central Republic of Africa for their increasing role in the humanitarian ,diplomatic and negotiation fields.
They also hailed fully cooperation of the African Union(AU) and United Nations(UN) roles played toward supporting Darfur refugees and those internally displaced communities.
They further appeal to all Darfurians living abroad, students, women, political parties and Sudanese civil society organizations to join the unification of resistance in Darfur.
The Juba Declaration of Unity comes into force from November 14th 2007 and consented to by Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Haydar Galu Kuma, Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Field Command Abdel aziz Ahmad Omer, United Revolutionary Forces Front led by Alhadi Adam Ajab Aldoarr, National Movement for Development and Reforms (MNRD) led by Hassan Khsmis Jarou, Justice and Equality Movement of Collective Leadership (JEM-CL) led by Tadjadine Bechir Niam.
(ST)