Darfur JEM rebels claim seizing ex-rebels’ base after heavy fighting
January 15, 2009 (LONDON) –The Justice and Equality Movement said today it had retaken the control of Muhageria location in southern Darfur after fighting against former rebel groups who signed a peace deal with Khartoum.
Yesterday the Sudanese army said it carried out airstrikes against JEM rebels near Muhageria a location till yesterday was considered as a stronghold for the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi who is turned Senior Presidential Assistant following the signing of Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006.
“This morning, January 15, a mobile JEM administrative unit was attacked by an army consisting [..] of Abuja signatories aided by government air cover of military helicopters, Antanov planes and Mig 29 fighters.” The rebel group said in a statement released this evening.
JEM military spokesperson Ali Alwafi said they repelled the assailants who fled “leaving behind unspecified number of fatalities, injured soldiers and military hardware.”
JEM said the government backed attack was carried by Minawi troops led by Jumaa Mohamed Haggar and Abdellah Bada, the former JEM chief commander and Jibriel Taik of the Reform and Development group.
The speaker of JEM’s legislative council, Al-Tahir Al-Feki, said Banda and Taik had received important sum of money and 50 vehicle form the Sudanese security apparatus.
Al-Feki, said the administrative unit was there to meet the local population and to inform them about the objectives of the movement. He added that JEM sent such units to the different parts of Darfur.
However, Minawi group in a news conference held in Khartoum admitted that his troops suffered important causalities and added that JEM wanted to seize the location. The Senior Presidential Assistant accused some Chadian official of providing logistical support to the rebel movement.
Also a statement by Minnawi’s SLM faction said that they have inflicted heavy losses on JEM and has full control over the area.
They called on the UN, African Union (AU) and international community to condemn the “blatant agression” by JEM.
Muhageria, 80 km (50 miles) from south Darfur’s capital, Nyala, was in the past controlled by JEM and the SLM-MM since 2004. The ownership of the location is disputed by Arab Maaliya tribe and the Zaghawa who settled recently in the area.
JEM’s Alwafi said Jibriel Taik took refuge in a UNAMID camp in the region and was not pursued further by JEM fighters.
Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM spokesperson who is visiting currently the US, told Sudan Tribune they met last Monday with the UN undersecretary for the peacekeeping operations, Alain Le Roy.
Ahmed said they tackled the role of hybrid peacekeeping mission, deployed since one year in Darfur, in the peace process. Also JEM delegation reiterated their full support to the mission and expressed their willing to support the African Union UN mission.
However, the rebel delegation blamed the UNAMID saying it cooperates only with the Sudanese government and do not coordinate its activities with JEM.
“Such position would not help to achieve peace in Darfur,” Ahmed said.
(ST)