Darfur rebel group urges Sudan, Chad to defuse military tension
January 8, 2008 (LONDON) — The Darfur rebel Justice and equality Movement (JEM) urged Chad and Sudan to cease the military escalation on the border and work on a political solution for the conflict.
The rebel group, accused by Sudan of being backed by Chad, stressed that Darfur refugees in both countries would suffer if the military buildup between the two countries continues.
Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM spokesperson urged the international community to intervene and pressure the two countries to stop the tensions.
The Chadian air force carried out the bombing raids over the past two days, targeting the positions of rebels opposed to Chadian President Idriss Debby inside Sudan.
Khartoum has denounced the bombing raids, claiming civilians have been killed in the attacks and has lodged a protest with the UN Security Council.
Adam said that Khartoum is seeking ways to impede the deployment of the UN-AU hybrid force in Darfur and the European force in eastern Chad. He also accused the Sudanese government of sabotaging the political process.
Asked about the latest series of attacks launched by JEM against the Sudanese army, Adam said that his movement believes that there will be no military solution for the ongoing conflict in Darfur and only a negotiated solution would create a sustainable peace.
However, the rebel spokesperson underscored that the lack of political horizon and delay in the deployment of peacekeepers leaves no room for political action by JEM.
The JEM spokesperson called on the international community to reenergize the political process with new proposals that take into accounts the setbacks of Sirte peace talks last October.
TORTURE OF DETAINED JEM MEMBERS
The rebel spokesperson also said that they have received reports that their representatives in the Cease Fire Commission (CFC) who were held two weeks ago by the Sudanese security in Al-Fasher were subject to torture.
Adam urged the CFC to work for the release of their members whose detention “represents a flagrant violation to its engagement towards the movement and the international law”.
In accordance with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the African Union between Sudanese government and the two main rebel groups in 2004, there are two representatives of JEM and the SLA. The commission is based El-Fasher and the delegates are under the protection of the AU.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in the conflict, which Washington calls genocide, a term European governments are reluctant to use. The Sudan government says 9,000 people have been killed.
(ST)