JEM rebels may resort to bilateral talks with Sudan
November 7, 2008 (LONDON) – The rebel Justice and Equality Movement told a Qatari delegation yesterday it may request bilateral talks with the Sudanese government if the other rebel groups fail to reunite.
A Qatari delegation led by r, the State Minister for Foreign Affair Ahmed Bin Abdalla Al- Mahmoud met with JEM chairman Khalil Ibrahim, in a location close to the border with Chad on Thursday November 6.
JEM delegation also included Deputy Chief Commander Lieutenant General Sulaiman Sandal, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Abu Rannat, Commander and Secretary for Darfur Sector Ahmed Adam Bakheit and Presidential Political Advisor Abu Bakar Hamid, said Ahmed Hussein Adam, the JEM spokesperson.
The parties agreed that their meeting is an exploratory one. “JEM did not reject or accept the Qatari initiative on Darfur peace talks,” said the speaker JEM legislative council, El-Tahir Adam El-Faki told Sudan Tribune.
“The visiting delegation was assured that JEM will provide a written response to the Qatari Peace Initiative following further consultation within the Movement.” confirmed JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Adam in a press statement received by email.
However, Ibarhim told the Qatari minister that JEM could not wait indefinitely. He further expressed his willingness to start peace talks with the Sudanese government to end the going conflict alleviate the suffering of Darfur people if the other rebel factions fail to unify their ranks or to reach common grounds before the talks.
Ibrahim however, underscored even in such a case that the involvement of the Qatari and international observers remains crucial for such talks.
The Qatari initiative is the latest in a series of regional and international efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the conflict, which started in 2003 when Darfur rebels took up arms, accusing Khartoum of neglect.
Minister Al- Mahmoud told JEM leadership that the mediation they are seeking to carry out would be conducted by the host country and the Joint Chief Mediator, Dijbril Bassolé. He stressed that the Arab League would not be involved in the talks.
He further said that the negotiations between the parties would be preceded by a comprehensive conference on Darfur conflict where the political, civil, and tribal forces in Darfur have to take part to set out their concerns and interests.
JEM welcomed the idea of the conference. Nonetheless, Ibrahim underlined that the resolutions of the comprehensive meeting could be brought to the table of negotiations, but cautioned that the talks would be reserved to the warring parties only.
JEM concluded the meeting by thanking the Qatari delegation for visiting the field and asked the delegation to convey JEM’s deepest gratitude and warmest greetings to His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and his government.
The visiting delegation was assured that JEM will provide a written response to the Qatari Peace Initiative following further consultation within the Movement, the spokesperson said.
Last year JEM boycotted Sirte talks on Darfur peace saying that the mediation team has failed to pick the real powers involved in the conflict saying that small rebel groups were invited.
At least 300,000 people have died in the western region and more than two million more fled their homes since ethnic minority rebels rose up five years ago drawing a scorched earth response from the military and allied militias.
(ST)