JEM rebels urge Sudanese army to stop attacks on Jebel Marra
February 28, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) denounced today ceasefire violations by the Sudanese army in Jebel Marra, a stronghold area of the Sudan Liberation Army led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur.
JEM “condemns the exploitation by Khartoum regime of a ceasefire outlined in the Framework Agreement signed with the Movement in February 23, 2010 to launch a sweeping attack on the positions of resistance in the Jebel Marra and to bomb peaceful villages and kill unarmed civilians,” read a statement released on Sunday.
The statement further called on the government to commit itself to the signed agreement and stop military attacks in the whole region.
The Sudanese army had intensified attacks on the positions of the SLA-AW in the mountainous Jebel Marra along through northern and southern Darfur province. The attacks are seen as military pressure to force the popular SLA-AW rebel group join the Doha peace process.
Noureddine Ganja, a SLA-AW rebel commander said the army killed some 50 civilians during a two day attack on Aradyeb Al-Asharah in northern Darfur last Wednesday and Thursday. He further reported attacks on Deribat and Kutru in southern Darfur.
JEM said the signed truce aims to create a conducive environment for the peace talks but not to give the opportunity “to pounce on innocent civilians”.
“It is absolutely unacceptable, it is not justified by a mind that really wants peace”, said the statement.
The Sudanese army denied the attacks on Jebel Marra, but aid workers confirmed intensive fighting in the region without accusing the Sudanese army. The Sudanese warplanes bombed the area before the ground attack.
This week, the mediation met with the framework agreement signatories to discuss a detailed ceasefire agreement including a joint mechanism to monitor the implementation of the truce.
The hybrid peacekeeping mission expressed readiness to extend its support to the two parties.
JEM further urged the army to stop attacks on its positions and forces until the conclusion of a ceasefire protocol and deployment of monitoring teams.
(ST)