Rebels reject Sudan accusations of Chadian involvement in Darfur fighting

January 29, 2009 (LONDON) — The rebel Justice and Equality Movement rejected accusations by the government over Chadian involvement in the fighting that occurred earlier this week in northern and southern Darfur with the Sudanese army.

“Our troops are operating inside Sudan far from Chad and do not need any external support,” said Ahmed Hussein Adam, the spokesman of the rebel movement. He further added that Sudan through such accusations intends to divert attention from the growing pressure due to expected ICC indictment to the Sudanese president.

Yesterday the State minister for information, Kamal Obeid, claimed that Chadian Republican Guard had provided logistical support to Darfur rebels to rescue the besieged JEM troops in Muhageriya location in south Darfur and in north Darfur near El-Fasher.

Obeid also charged France for not putting the necessary pressure on the Chadian government to stop its support to the rebels. He added that the French promises do not cope with the reality on the ground.

Adam stressed JEM does not need any support from the Chadian government because they have the necessary military supplies from the Sudanese army; also he wondered how Khartoum can make such allegations while it says deploying troops along the joint border.

The rebel official went further to say that Sudanese accusations mean to cover up the increasing support Khartoum is providing to the Chadian opposition despite the signed agreements with N’djamena.

With regard to Tuesday clashes near Al-Fasher, Adam said JEM troops were moving from a position to another but didn’t intend to attack a town with a high population density and because such attack can be seen as directed against the UNAMID which have its headquarters in El-Fasher.

“We did not attack El-Fasher, because we take in consideration our responsibly to protect civilians and the UNAMID. The success of the peacekeeping mission is at the top priorities of the Justice and Equality Movement” he emphasized.

He also stressed the commitment of the rebel group to the success of the ongoing peace process saying that JEM leadership will meet the joint mediator in the coming days to discus Doha process.

Today, the joint mediator, Djibril Bassolé, has urged the warring parties in Darfur to cease military hostilities to allievate the suffering of Darfur people and create a conducive environment for peace talks.

“The escalation of violence violates the spirit of the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement on the Conflict in Darfur of 2004 and constitutes a breach of various Security Council resolutions,” Bassolé said.

(ST)