SLM-Abdelshafi rejects Darfur envoys call to join peace talks

January 19, 2008 (JUBA) — In a meeting with Darfur envoys, a rebel group rejected to participate in the peace process suggesting them to support the current efforts to reunite the rebel groups in the five year troubled region.

Darfur rebel groups including those who participated in Sirte demanded the adjournment of peace talks held last October in Sirte, Libya, to unify their positions. Others, as Justice and Equality Movement want mediators to postpone the talks and fix with them some issues like the format and who participate in the talks, and SLM of Abdelwahid al- Nur demand the implementation of some conditions called “conflict suspension”.

During a meeting held yesterday with UN envoy for Darfur, and his African Union counterpart, in Juba on Friday January 18, the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement led by Ahmed Abdelshafi refused to take part in Darfur peace process. The group said its refusal is motivated by the negative attitude of Khartoum government.

Further, Abdelshafi rejected a proposal presented by the two envoys to hold another Arusha consultation meeting, calling the international community to support a second Juba conference to reunite the rebel groups under the auspices of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

The rebel group also said worried by the policy of followerism adopted by the international community vis-à-vis of delays and obstruction practiced by the Sudanese government to hinder the deployment of the hybrid operation in Darfur.

The SLM-Abdelshafi also warned that if the UN and the AU fail to protect its representatives at the Cease fire commission in el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. This move comes following the arrest of the monitors of Justice and Equality Movement during more than three weeks by the Sudanese government.

The rebel group also renewed its refusal to the participation of the Egyptian, Chinese, and Pakistani troops.

Following a two-month meetings held in Juba sponsored by the SPLM in Juba, nine rebel factions on November 14 decided to reunite their political organisations and military structures under the name of SLM. They designed Ahmed Abdelshafi as chairman.

Abdelshafi had requested last September a series of measures for confidence building before the talks. He also criticized the lack of consultations with the rebel groups from the mediators. The rebel group warned that would not consider itself party to the peace process unless it is treated “as full partner on an equal footing with the GoS.”

(ST)