JEM rebels urge for international coordinated stance on Darfur peace

July 20, 2009 (LONDON) — The rebel Justice and equality Movement has urged the international community to adopt a coordinated position in dealing with the Sudanese government to achieve peace in Darfur.

The call has been made by a rebel delegation led by JEM head of external relations Jibril Ibrahim, during a meeting with Mark Malloch-Brown, Britain’s Minister of State for Africa, Asia and the United Nations on Monday. The meeting discussed the stalled peace process and ways to end the current deadlock.

The British official encouraged during the meeting the rebel movement to remain engaged in the peace process sponsored by the Qatari government and not to boycott talks as it had been said by JEM leader last week.

The five members of the UN Security Council committed themselves last May to boost the ongoing efforts to settle the Darfur conflict.

“We asked the British minister to work for a coordinated stance of the international community when it comes to deal with the Sudanese government about the resolution of Darfur conflict,” said JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Adam.

“In such a way the international community could play an efficient role to achieve peace in Darfur,” he added.

The rebel official pointed out that Khartoum tries to corrupt international efforts to reach peace in Darfur by dealing differently with the three western permanent members: Britain, France and the United States.

He further added “while dealing with Washington, Khartoum links the resolution of Darfur conflict and the implementation of 2005 peace deal with the normalization of bilateral relations and the left of economic sanctions.”

Since the election of the President Barak Obama, Sudanese officials work hand-to-hand with Scott Gration, US President envoy to Sudan, to end Darfur crisis and to implement the comprehensive peace agreement signed with former rebel SPLM.

Ahmed said peace for JEM remains a strategic option and they have no objection to sign a ceasefire agreement, stressing that Sudan however should implement a goodwill agreement they signed with the government last February.

He also said that there are leading officials among the dominant National Congress Party who are opposed to the ongoing efforts to end the conflict and undermined any effort toward a peaceful solution.

While Sudanese government seeks to sign a ceasefire agreement and to engage peace talks with Darfur rebels, JEM requests the release of 103 rebels sentenced to death after their participation in an attack against the Sudanese capital last year.

JEM also opposed to the participation of other rebel groups saying they are not playing active role in the armed conflict in Darfur and it welcomes them among its delegation as it has done with 18 factions that announced their merger with the most military active movement.

Darfur mediation however said determined to engage an inclusive peace talks, and Khartoum also said it would not discuss a peace deal with JEM only.

(ST)