Veteran rebel says neighboring countries not neutral in Darfur crisis

May 5, 2008 (PARIS) — A Darfur veteran rebel, Suleiman Jamous showed reserves on the role played by the neighboring countries in the resolution of Darfur conflict, saying they are not neutral.

The leadership of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Unity Command led by Abdallah Yahia is touring European countries to explain the position of the rebel group. Besides Yahia and Jamous, the delegation consists of Osman al-Bushra, Sharif Harir, Sayed Sharif Jarelnabi and Mahgoub Hussein.

The secretary for humanitarian affairs, Jamous told the Sudan Tribune that they prefer to hold Darfur peace talks in a neutral country; adding that neighboring countries do not fulfill this condition of neutrality.

According to Jamous who was speaking from Paris, “these countries are not neutral, either they are favorable or against the Sudanese government, and we reject this.” He further said that they are not seeking the interest of Darfur and achieve peace.

UN and African Union mediators formed a group from four countries — Eritrea, Chad, Egypt and Libya – called “the regional initiative for peace in Darfur” to help them in their efforts to end the five years conflict.

The mediators chose Libya to host Darfur talks speaking about its ability to deliver rebel groups. However, many of them rejected the venue of the talks among other demands.

The veteran rebel said that they came to Europe to express their concerns over the current deadlock of the peace process saying that they are ready to engage talks with the Sudanese government to settle the conflict.

Jamous however insisted on the role of the international community as sponsor of any talks to guarantee the implementation of any peace agreement.

Asked about the position of the SLM-Unity over the need for a cessation of hostilities before the peace talks, he underlined that Khartoum should negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the rebel groups in presence of the international community. Further he said this ceasefire should be temporary and renewable.

Once this ceasefire is agreed and the geographical positions of the troops are determined then the peace talks can start, he said.

Jamous also underscored that talks should start from zero because they do not accept to start negotiations on the basis of Darfur Peace Agreement.

“We reject Abuja totally and it cannot be in any case a base for talks to solve the problem.” Jamous said.

In October 2007, the SLM led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur and Justice and Equality Movement of Khalil Ibrahim asked to start the talks with the same groups that were involve in Abuja talks. Abdel-Wahid said the talks should be focused on disputed issues that Khartoum had rejected in Abuja.

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) Unity, before Sirte talks, said they wanted unified rebel delegations to attend any talks. At that time the two groups had initiated a rapprochement to coordinate their position during the talks.

Asked on their efforts to reunite rebel groups, the veteran rebel said his movement has succeeded to convince small faction on the ground to join their group. He stressed that they are relentlessly working on reunite the rebel groups. He further added “at least we are determined to have a common ground and one vision between all the factions of the SLM. For us this is the minimum that we should reach.”

Speaking about the SLM founder Abdel-Wahid al-Nur, Jamous said he understands Nur’s position following his “bitter experience with Minni Minawi, who signed a peace deal with Khartoum. However he stressed on the need to find a common ground to achieve the aspirations of Darfur people.

Jamous further urged the international community to stop promoting what he called “fictive groups” which have no any existence on the ground.

“International community needs to stop dealing with fictive names and groups”

Darfur peace mediators, Salim Ahmed Salim and Jan Eliasson are often accused by the key rebel groups for encouraging the fragmentation of rebels. Salim Ahemd Salim, is charged with pushing smaller rebel groups to join Abuja deal and to invite them to participate in the second mediation to weaken the two non signatory movements.

International experts say 200,000 people have died since rebels rose up against the government in 2003 charging it with neglect. The Sudanese government says the Western media exaggerates the crisis and only 9,000 people have died.

(ST)