Postponement of Doha meeting due to differences between Darfur rebels
August 7, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Differences between Darfur rebel factions have undermined efforts to hold an expected round of talks with the Sudanese government in Doha this month.
The Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé met on Thursday with the Sudanese presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Eddin Attabani, who is in charge with Darfur file, to discuss the new developments.
In remarks following a meeting with the AU-UN mediator, Ghazi announced the adjournment of the talks saying “So far, there are many differences between the various factions.” He added that “there are efforts and attempts to consolidate their positions.”
The Sudanese official reiterated the readiness of the government delegation to start talks with the rebel groups whenever they are ready to.
However, Attabani said he agreed with Bassolé on the need to determine a date for the meeting, “because the process cannot remain so forever.”
The Doha meeting, which had to be held during the next week, was planned to sign a ceasefire agreement and a framework agreement for the talks.
One of the members of Tripoli group, the United Resistance Front led by Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, in a statement released this evening said they believe that “any negotiations be called prior to the unification of the (rebel) movements would be a waste of time.”
The URF further urged to focus efforts to reach common grounds to ensure that the rights of the people of Darfur can be negotiated fairly.
Mahgoub Hussein, the spokesperson of the Sudan Liberation Movement– Unity faction said they agreed with Bassolé to hold talks after the end of Ramadan, at the last week of September. He also added the rebel groups agreed to form one delegation and one platform.
Last Month Egypt, which seeks to play a role in the resolution of Darfur crisis and feels marginalized by the Qatari sponsor of the current peace process, invited Tripoli factions in Cairo to discuss a roadmap to reunite them before the peace talks.
The groups that met in Cairo include two splinter groups form JEM, the United Resistance Front led by Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, and Justice and Equality Movement- Azraq faction, besides Sudan Liberation Movement – Unity led by Abdallah Yahya, the SLM led by Khamis Abdallah Abakr, and the SLM – Juba faction of Mohamed Saleh Harba.
In a statement released at the end of the Cairo Consultative Forum, the rebel groups said Egypt provided a road map to unite the rebel groups in one organization but also asked them, if they fail in this, nevertheless to have a common political vision and unified negotiating position.
The seven rebel groups further said they developed two options, either to unite in one structure or simply to have a common negotiating position. They agreed to meet in Cairo within a month after studying the proposed options.
Reports from Tripoli say the rebel factions failed to agree on who would chair the delegation. SLM-Unity led by Abdallah Yahya believes it has more troops and should lead the delegation while Abu Garda group also aspires to lead the rebels to Doha talks.
The Libyan officials seek to bridge the gaps but it seems unable for the time being to reach a consensus. Abu Garda left Libya to Chad.
August round of talks had been dedicated to involve the rebel factions in the process after unsuccessful talks between the government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement which asks to implement a good will agreement signed last February before to resume talks on the ceasefire and framework for the process.
(ST)
oshay
Postponement of Doha meeting due to differences between Darfur rebels
This shows exactly how the the rodent Chadian Zaghwa JEM is not the movement of the Darfuri people nor representative of it. Their tyrannical tactics to control the negotiation process is very reminiscent to the Tyrant of The South (Garang) and the savage serpent SPLA. They did the same after they decided that they drank enough of the blood of Nuer in the 1990s. To this day we see the result of what they did to my people.
Kur
Postponement of Doha meeting due to differences between Darfur rebels
The only legitimate representatives of Darfur people are JEM and SLM led by Mr Nur. The rest are just the creation of NIF regime to undermine the struggle of the Darfur people. So the mdiator should talk to Bashir to remove the mercenaries and illegal settlers who are now sitting on the Darfur land, so that Mr. Nur can join the talk to end the war in Darfur.
Kur
Biliu
Postponement of Doha meeting due to differences between Darfur rebels
Yes, this is a deplorable fact, the moment where Darfurian movements should united and speak on one voice, we are hearing about dissensions between the same movement, I think most of those call themselves Darfurian movement has no motive at all and nearly wondering why they carried guns from the first place.
Regarding to Oshay’s remarks on the late father of freedom in South and in whole Sudan, you like a mere fool who’s trying to dry a sea with his nail, I don’t think you are a Sudanese nor a Nure from the first place, so please stop saying nonsense about a man who gave his life to all Sudanese.
I’m 100% Nure and I know what our stand is!
Biliu