Darfur rebels assess peace perspectives in Qatar
September 14, 2009 (PARIS) – Rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) met today with the Qatari facilitators to assess the evolving efforts to resume Doha peace process next October.
Sudanese government and JEM rebels signed last February a confidence building deal including the improving of humanitarian situation and release of prisoners of war by the two parties ahead of the talks.
However Khartoum, despite the pressures exerted by the mediator and the hosting country, refused to release JEM fighters who had took part in an attack on the Sudanese capital in May 2008, saying such measure can only intervene after the signing of a ceasefire agreement, a matter that JEM rejects.
The Qatari state minister for foreign affairs, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud met on Monday with Ahmed Tugod Lissan, Secretary for Negotiations and Peace affairs and Ahmed Hussein Adam the official spokesperson, to discuss the latest developments and the resumption of the peace process.
“We discussed with the Qatari minister the latest regional and international initiatives and the implementation of the goodwill agreement, particularly the worsening humanitarian situation and the release of the POWs detained in Khartoum.” Adam told Sudan Tribune by telephone from Doha.
The rebel delegation reaffirmed its commitment to the Doha process adding a negotiated solution for Darfur six-year conflict is a strategic option for their movement.
However, Ahmed said the solution of Darfur conflict should not be linked to any existing peace deal. The rebel official was referring to the ongoing political process in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Abuja and eastern Sudan deals.
JEM delegation also “welcomed the ongoing efforts to reunite the different rebel groups but stressed that inclusivity should not means chaos.”
Adam pointed out that they are willing to include the other factions in their movement but they find it difficult to admit them as rival parties in the talks with the Sudanese government saying it would impede the talks and complicate chances to reach a deal.
Reacting to calls by some facilitators to include tribal approach in the rebel representation for the peace talks, JEM rebels told the Qatari official that such handling may complicate efforts to settle the conflict because there are 80 ethnic groups in the region.
They also warned Al Mahmoud against some regional and international efforts saying they aim to impose some “groups” representing their interests.
Last May, the US special envoy had persuaded JEM to resume talks with the Sudanese government on the implementation of Doha goodwill agreement. The rebel movement had suspended the peace process after the eviction of 13 aid groups from Darfur in March.
But by the end of June the two parties ended the negotiations without any agreement over the two disputed issues.
The mediation which marked its distance from the different regional and international initiatives for the rebel unification, considers the all rebel workshop would provide the needed ground between the rebels to have one agenda before to engage the peace process.
(ST)