Rebel JEM welcomes visit of US envoy to Sudan
February 25, 2008 (LONDON) – A Darfur rebel movement welcomed the visit of the new US envoy to Sudan hoping it constitutes a turning point towards a peaceful solution to the five year conflict in western Sudan.
The new US special envoy for Sudan, Richard Williamson, on Monday in his first visit to Khartoum since taking up the job met with the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Deng Alor, to call for practical progress in Darfur amid growing US impatience with the pace of peace efforts.
The rebel spokesperson expressed hopes that the visit breaks the current stagnation of the international community on Darfur and brings a new dynamic during the up coming period.
He further said that the American role is crucial in any coming solution and expressed JEM readiness to cooperate in any effort to solve the crisis.
“We wish that Williamson can conduct frank talks with the security group now in power in Khartoum, which believes only in a military solution and plotting against other states to end and liquidate Darfur issue militarily.” Ahmed said.
In the same context Adam added that the US envoy could remind Sudan ruling party the past experiences and help them to learn lessons that “Darfur crisis is a political issue requesting a political solution.”
He regretted that the American envoy’s visit came while the government continues military escalation on the ground particularly in West Darfur.
“The government has to stop the continuing massacres and we will cooperate in the framework of a political solution addresses the root causes of the problem.”
Despite the good cooperation with Washington on war on terror, and the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the former rebel SPLM, the US Administration refuses to normalise relations with Khartoum and to revoke sanctions imposed since 1997.
MESSAGE TO THE CHINESE ENVOY
JEM official also reassured the visiting Chinese envoy saying that China must be part of the solution to address the crisis but Beijing should speaks with all the parties in the conflict.
“We also hope that China speaks frankly with the regime and explain to them that a military solution will not resolve the problem. He added that China has to push forward international efforts for a political solution and for the deployment of international forces
Chinese envoy for Darfur crisis, Liu Guijin, on Sunday urged nations with influence over rebel groups in the Darfur region to pressure them to return to negotiations with the Sudanese government.
The Chinese diplomat said a settlement of the Darfur issue calls for the implementation of the dual-track strategy, which is designed to push forward political negotiations and the peacekeeping mission in a balanced manner.
(ST)