US envoy meets with SLM-Nur faction commanders in Darfur

April 5, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – The US special envoy to Sudan J. Scott Gration met today with commanders of a rebel group in Darfur and discussed their vision on ways to resolve the six years conflict.

Nimir Mohammed Abdul-Rahman, the military spokesperson of Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) headed by Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur told Sudan Tribune by phone from Darfur that the meeting took place east of Jebel Marra Mountains.

The SLA official said they emphasized to Gration that they want the “unconditional return” of all relief groups that were expelled by Khartoum last month after being accused of collaborating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigations.

He also said that they conveyed that their view of the conflict is comprised of a security, humanitarian and political aspect.

“We told the special envoy that our principles underscore the need for a secular Sudan and to achieve security in Darfur and throughout the country” Abdul-Rahman said.

“We are prepared to work with the US administration in terms of achieving security in Darfur for our people” he added.

Abdul-Rahman said that the SLA also raised the issue of expelling foreign tribes tribes that resettled on lands belonging to the Darfuri population.

The newly appointed envoy arrived this week in Sudan on a visit that he described as a “learning” one.

But the former combat pilot yesterday warned that the humanitarian crisis in Darfur is “on the brink of deepening” in the wake of the gap left by the aid agencies that were expelled.

“We have to come up with a solution on the ground within the next few weeks” he said while suggesting that Sudanese NGO’s might partially help fill the gap.

The SLA spokesperson said that Gration expressed Washington’s willingness to work with them “for a durable peace and sustainable development”.

He also said that they stressed to Gration their “firm” position on cooperating with the ICC regarding the ICC arrest warrant against Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir issued last month saying the UN Security Council (UNSC) and its P-5 members should throw their full support behind it

According to the United Nations, 300,000 people have died and more than 2.2 million fled their homes since ethnic minority rebels rose up against the Arab-dominated Khartoum government in February 2003.

Sudan puts the death toll from the six-year conflict at only 10,000.

(ST)