Sudan’s top negotiator rejects rebels’ demand for one region in Darfur

October 27, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese government top negotiator, Nafi Ali Nafi, reiterated yesterday his rejection for rebels demand to establish one region in Darfur. He further said it would be exploited to dismantle the country.

The reunification of the three states in one region is demanded by the rebel movements in Darfur. It was one of the reasons that led Abdel Whaid Al-Nur (SLM) and Khalil Ibrahim (JEM) to refuse to sign the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) in 2006.

The Presidential Assistant was speaking to traditional leaders in South Darfur state on Sunday saying that creation of one region will establish a single authority that would strip the power of governors, and legislative assemblies. He further warned that some could exploit it and “call for a new sedition”.

Nafi was opposed to the right of self determination in a peace deal signed with former the southern Sudan rebels, the SPLM, in 2005.

He stressed that the issue of one region in Darfur must be decided by referendum, as it is provided in the Darfur Peace Agreement, by July 2010 to decide whether to establish Darfur as a unitary region with a single government.

However Nafi stressed the possibility of increasing the number of states in Darfur.

The issue of the one region was debated during the Sudan’s People Forum and is expected to be rejected by the conference. It was reported that Nafi actively mobilised during the meeting the local leaders from Darfur to reject the proposal of the region.

(ST)