Sudan wants released rebel monitors to leave Darfur ceasefire HQ

January 17, 2008 (E-LFASHER) — Sudan released seven rebel representatives in a ceasefire commission abducted from the African Union base. However, the authorities demanded that the released rebels should quit the AU-UN base in 24 hours.

Sudanese authorities handed seven ceasefire monitors at the Cease Fire Commission (CFC) to the UNAMID Force Commander and CFC chairman General Martin Luther Agwai. Six detainees are from Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and were arrested on 29 December near AMIS Forward Headquarters in El-Fasher. The seventh was arrested earlier in Kulbus. One of the detainees belonged to the JEM Collective Leadership Faction and was arrested a few days ago.

The Sudanese authorities have demanded to transfer the released monitors away from government-controlled areas within twenty four hours. Khartoum had accused them of passing on information regarding government troop movements to JEM.

JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Adam, who welcomed the release and hailed the efforts of General Martin Luther Agwai and the UNAMID to secure their freedom, regretted Khartoum decision to expel JEM representative from the CFC. He considered this move as “message of escalation” from Khartoum.

Further he descried it as an attempt to tame the newly established UNAMID. He said that the UN-AU mission should bear in mind that its mandate is founded on the UN Security Council resolution 1769 and not on the will of the Sudanese government.

He added that the UNAMID should insist and to keep them because they are members of the CFC and in accordance with the 2004 agreement JEM has to participate in this monitoring body. He also denied charges of passing information on the movement of the regular troops to the movement.

Sudanese army Western Area Commander Major-General Imad Ad Diin Mustafa Adawi, who made the official handover of the detainees, called that for the reciprocal release government soldiers captured in recent fighting in West Darfur.

While the Joint Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada, committed to helping in any way possible to assist in their release.

Yesterday rebel sources told Sudan Tribune that JEM leadership had declined to meet Darfur envoy from the UN and AU who are visiting Darfur nowadays. The rebel groups demanded them to secure the release of their CFC representatives who are under the protection of the AU and the UN.

The two envoys are planed to hold a press conference before leaving Sudan on Saturday. So they are expected to meet JEM chairman on Friday to discuss peace process and JEM participation in the talks.

(ST)