JEM reiterates demand to postpone election and Khartoum re-arrests rebels

March 17, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s security authorities have re-arrested some members of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) released recently following the signing of a framework agreement signed last month in Doha.

Also, JEM rebels said the last week meetings in Ndjamena facilitated by the Chadian government failed to settle the difference between the two parties mainly on the election postponement and ceasefire agreement.

However, Ahmed Hussein Adam stressed their delegation will continue to negotiate with the government in Doha, the official venue of peace talks, on the ceasefire agreement despite the rejection of the Sudanese officials, in Ndjamena talks, to extend the ceasefire to the whole Darfur.

“They reject to implement the ceasefire agreement in the entire region,” Ahmed said; adding they stressed the talks should be in Doha where the mediation is based.

Following the signing of Doha framework agreement, President Omer Al-Bashir pardoned some 57 of JEM fighters sentenced to death after an attack on the Sudanese capital Khartoum in May 2008.

Adam Bakr Hassab, said today the Sudanese authorities re-arrested them when they went to Al-Fashir, capital of North Darfur. He said they are still working to find out where they are held.

Following their release, Sudanese authorities had ordered them to remain in Khartoum, but many left the capital to western Sudan region of Darfur, unconfirmed reports say.

According to the Doha deal signed on February 23 the parties had to sign a peace deal on March 15, but the talks are stalled over the issue of elections postponement. Also, JEM had refused another group rebel holds separate talks with the government in Doha.

But the mediation said it needs to include all the rebel groups in the peace process. JEM rebels had refused to share the negotiating table with them unless they agree to merge with them.

(ST)