Darfur rebels blame AU for putting lives of 4 commanders at risk
December 21, 2007 (JUBA) — Darfur recently unified rebel groups blamed the African Union (AU) for putting lives of four military field commanders at risk as they were carried to unsafe location in Darfur, rebel spokesperson said.
Isam Eddine al-Haj, the spokesperson of the newly formed Sudan Liberation Movement told Sudan Tribune that an AU plane transported four rebel commanders from Juba in southern Sudan to unsafe site in southern Darfur far from the indicated position.
He further said that the four rebel commanders who were regaining their position in Darfur after taking part in the SPLM sponsored reunification meeting were without food or arms.
The rebel spokesperson said the commanders group flied to Darfur on Sunday December 16. He added since that day they were in touch with the AU requesting to send another plane to take them to the right place but in vain.
“The AU has sent the other plane just on Thursday December 20. Fortunately they didn’t meet a Sudanese army patrol of the Janjaweed.” Isam al-Haj said.
However, he charged the AU of negligence.
“We want the African mission to explain why all this delay to save their live? And we want to know why this pilot had brought them to this far position while he had all the necessary indications?” He asked.
Further Isam disclosed that the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Sudan Liberation Army, Siddig Abdelkarim Nasir (Siddig Masalleit), was supposed to take part in this trip but he changed his mind at the last moment.
About 11 Darfur rebel factions announced in Juba the formation of a new rebel movement called Sudan Liberation Movement. They appointed Ahmed Abdelshafi Toba as chairman of the movement.
The rebel movement said is attempting to convince the founder of the rebel SLM, Abdelwahid al-Nur to join them.
(ST)