Withdraw of the Sudan Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) from the peace negotiations in N’Djamena

The Sudan Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) would like, very reluctantly, to announce its withdrawal from the peace negotiations between the Sudan Government on the one side, and The Sudan Justice and Equality Movement and Sudan Liberation Army on the other, which is taking place in Chad, for the reason of the denial of the Chadian Authorities to grant entry visas for its political delegation which has been camping in Paris for several days awaiting entry clearance.

This withdrawal will be effective from midday, Monday the fifth of April 2004 Chad local time.

JEM seeks this opportunity to re-assert its sincere commitment to reaching a comprehensive political settlement to all national conflicts, particularly the current armed conflict in Darfur. JEM also highly appreciates the invaluable efforts of the international mediators in arranging the peace talks. JEM, however, strongly urges the peace mediators to seek a substitute avenue for the peace talks where all parties will be enabled to attend and participate in the talks without obstruction.

– Idris Ibrahim Azraq
– Information Commissioner & Spokesman J E M