Darfur JEM reject ‘People of Sudan’ initiative
August 23, 2008 (WASHINGTON) – The Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rejected the ‘People of Sudan’ initiative made by President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir last month.
JEM said in a statement that the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) continues military operations on the ground while talking about peace.
“Al-Bashir cannot be the defendant and the judge at the same time” JEM said.
The Darfur rebel group also condemned threats by the Sudanese president to expel peacekeepers if an arrest is issued for him and vowed to protect them from government retaliation.
JEM’s rejection of Al-Bashir’s initiative cast doubt over its success despite Khartoum’s enthusiasm at the proposal aimed at defusing row with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The SLM unity Darfur rebel group and Umma Reform and Renewal party both dismissed the initiative this week.
The ICC’s prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced in mid-July that he requested an arrest warrant against Al-Bashir.
Ocampo filed 10 charges: three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder. Judges are expected to take months to study the evidence before deciding whether to order Al-Bashir’s arrest.
Following the ICC’s move Sudan has been looking into steps that could be taken to block Al-Bashir’s indictment.
On the judicial side the government pledged to conduct national proceedings against Darfur suspects. On the political front, Khartoum would bolster efforts to negotiate a political solution with Darfur rebels.
(ST)