Darfur rebels say Sudan dragging feet in Doha talks

February 14, 2009 (DOHA) — Talks between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement seem stalled over the rebel demand for confidence-building measures as the government delegation refuses any compromise over it.

“The delegation of the government is not serious to make real concessions to demonstrate its keenness to reach peace,” said Ahmed Hussein Adam, the JEM spokesperson speaking from Doha, where the talks between the two parties started last Tuesday.

Adam further said the government does not want to commit itself to stop air strikes on civilians or conduct an exchange of prisoners of war (POWs).

The rebel negotiators proposed to include four measures to produce a conducive environment for talks: the release of detained members from the both sides, a halt to harassment of the displaced (IDPs), a halt of forced repatriation of the IDPs, and the cessation of air strikes on civilians.

The confidence-building measures are supposed to be the first point in the ongoing talks; it would thereafter be followed by a declaration of intent. After that, the parties have to sign a framework agreement to determine the procedures and the topics to be discussed by the stakeholders. This accord would be ushered in by an agreement for cessation of hostilities. Only then would the actual peace talks begin.

Ahmed said they want to include in the talks a forum for the international community where the USA, France, Norway, the UK and others can be represented. Also the regional countries should be involved in the talks, he said.

“The reluctance of the government delegation shows their lack of seriousness,” the rebel official said. But he added that JEM is still engaged in the peace process.

He also urged the representatives of the SPLM in the government delegation, Yasir Arman and Abdel Aziz Helu, to participate effectively in the talks.

“We need them to participate effectively in the talks because we negotiate with the government of National Unity and not the National Congress Party alone.”

Yesterday, the powerful Presidential Assistant, Nafi Ali Nafi, who leads the government delegation, met for the second time with the leader of the rebel movement in a bid to reach a deal but it seems that the mediators have failed to bridge the differences between the two sides.

Adam said they had been, earlier today, close to signing a “trust-building and good intentions” draft document, but the intransigence of the government delegation stopped the process.

The Qatari officials, who seem playing an important role in the mediation, are pressing the two sides to continue the talks till they reach an agreement. Khalil Ibrahim, the JEM chairman, had planned to leave Doha but they convinced him to remain there.

“If any party leaves Doha without an agreement at this stage, this means the death of the process,” said a Western observer speaking from Doha. He further added the Qatari government is very keen to succeed in this difficult process.

(ST)