UN says can meet Darfur JEM representatives without Sudan consent
June 12, 2008 (NEW YORK) –United Nations (UN) officials can meet with Darfur rebel groups without seeking Sudan’s approval, the UN spokesperson said today.
Montas said she could not immediately confirm the existence of such a meeting but stressed that he is “authorized to meet whoever he thinks is necessary for the peace process to move forward”.
Last month JEM fighters mounted an assault on the Sudanese capital that took the government and international community by surprise. However the Sudanese government managed to repulse the attack and accused Chad of backing JEM in its attempt
The Sudanese government said it will not negotiate with JEM as a result of the attack and called on the international community to designate the rebel group as a terrorist organization.
Asked whether such a meeting would require the consent of Sudan, the UN spokesperson said that similar meetings do not require checking with UN member states before proceeding.
“There are special missions that are entrusted to special envoys and they do whatever it takes to carry out their mission and they have their mandates to do so” she added.
The US deputy representative at the UN Alejandro Wolff told reporters that Washington would only object to meetings if held with “someone who is indicted or sanctioned”.
“JEM is a party in Sudan and will have to be brought into any political solution” he added.
Wolff acknowledged that some UN Security Council (UNSC) members wanted to impose sanctions on JEM following its attack on Khartoum.
“Some delegations mentioned that in our conversations today. I think the council is always open to considering measures that need to be taken against individuals either thwarting peace or committing humanitarian atrocities” he said.
A UNSC delegation just returned from a tour in Africa that included a stop in Sudan where they also visited the war ravaged region of Darfur.
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Uncle Louish
UN says can meet Darfur JEM representatives without Sudan consent
Ho really!
Please go ahead on time before Bashir and ant-peace groups obstruct your initiative. Look, you have always been adamant formulating lots of phrases to name Darfur attrocities which we Southerners are fed up of!
As an English say goes: “there is no smoke without fire,” JEM may not necessarily be fighting a war of no objectives just as SPLM did not take arms against the Khartoum regime for its own sake but for reasons that were and are internationally heard and in turn brougt the January 2005 CPA. Therefore, it’s better that a father listens to the complaints of his son than to shy away with threats of no more ground for negotiations.
History does repeat itself and that is why Bashir is wholesomely reluctant on Darfur issue knowing that he is military tough but who knows the fate might turn against him and those who campaign for extinction of Darfur population. Expierence being the best teacher, I know of few leaders of Arab origin who have prompted grounds for peaceful resolutions of differences: first it was Saddam, Gaddafi and now Bashir! Bashir should seek advise from Gaddafi who once felt victim of the circumstance following UNSC demand for inspection of weapons thereof. They think everything is based on Christ-sharia laws. Judge me wrong , but the fact is that Darfurians will continue to die if there is no international intervention particularly, the UNSC and the UN. The rigidty of Bashir to comply with UN demand for peace negotiations does not need reluctance but requires international pressure and force.
Please don’t waste time Montas and Wolf,our eyes are set on the outcome(s) of your efforts.
CHOLTHEGREAT
UN says can meet Darfur JEM representatives without Sudan consent
UN-SECURITY COUNCIL I am tired of talk! Talk! Talk. Who told you that President Bashir believes in talks when he him self took over the government by military coup he just need exactly to be remove as he did .Too he has no heart for the people of Darfur .The people of Darfur need peace and not death.Please go a head and save the people of Darfur.