JEM rebels deny defection of Darfur commanders

August 20, 2009 (PARIS) — The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)°has dismissed reports about the defection of a number of rebel commanders and accused the Sudanese security service of fabricating it.

On Tuesday several local media reported the defection of a person claimed to be the deputy head of JEM intelligence unit Ali Hamed Shoggar. The press further said he rejoined Minni Minawi group. It also said that Shoggar had disclosed the existence of six camps for forced recruitment for Sudanese children in eastern Chad camps.

In a statement released today from Tripoli, JEM spokesperson, Ahmed Hussein Adam, said that Ali Hamed Shoggar is not a member of the movement and there is no anybody with this name in its ranks.

Asked by telephone whether the report speaks about another rebel commander called Adam Ali Shoggar who joined JEM last March, Ahmed said this one is part of their delegation which holds talks with Libyan officials on Doha peace process.

The rebel official also denied the existence of children recruitment camps and added that eastern Chad camps for Sudanese refugees are under the protection of Chadian authorities and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The report, attributed to the pro-national intelligence agency SMC news service, mentioned the names of a number of rebel commanders among them Jarel Nabi Abdel Karim, one of the rebel SLM field commanders.

But Adam said that Jarel Nabi had joined JEM in March 2009 and left the rebel movement in July, stressing they have a written resignation letter from him.

Peace talks between Sudanese government and JEM are deadlocked since last June after Khartoum refusal to release over hundred rebels arrested since an attack on the Sudanese capital in May 2008.

The Libyan authorities in coordination with mediation try to settle differences between Sudanese government and JEM rebels.

(ST)