Sudan, JEM rebels trade accusations over ceasefire agreement
April 4, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government and rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) accused each other of impeding the ongoing talks on the ceasefire agreement. The two parties say the other is obstructing efforts to reach this agreement.
In accordance to the framework agreement, the two stakeholders have to sign a temporary ceasefire agreement paving the way for discussions on power and wealth sharing as well as the other eleven points included in 23 February deal.
We refuse categorically to sign a ceasefire agreement including items contrary to the draft put forward by the mediators, said Amin Hassan Omer who is government top negotiator in statements to the Sudanese Media Center on Saturday.
“The Justice and Equality (Movement) came up with a paper unrelated to the Framework Agreement” Amin said, adding “it seems that the Movement is still, so far, not serious in the signing of the Agreement on Ceasefire”.
The Sudanese official said they briefed the US special envoy to Sudan about their position.
Scott Gration held in Doha a series of talks with mediations, the Sudanese government delegation and JEM rebels. He is expected to return Monday to Khartoum to resume efforts to bridge the caps between the government and opposition forces over their participation in 11 April elections.
JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Adam refuted to Sudan Tribune government accusations of obstructing talks on ceasefire agreement saying they want a genuine and implementable truce involving UNAMID and international actors to verify its implementation but also proposed measures to protect civilians and aid workers.
JEM also demanded to expel the Chadian rebel groups and the Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army from Darfur in order to have a suitable atmosphere facilitating the full implementation of ceasefire, he said.
“We want a meaningful ceasefire agreement not like the past because the government didn’t observe Ndjamena ceasefire agreement,” Ahmed said.
The rebel official said they discussed this issue with the American envoy stressing Khartoum lack of credibility.
He also said they informed Gration that JEM does not recognize the electoral process and its outcome. He also said Khartoum is not serious about reaching a final peace agreement.
“They (the government delegates) are in Doha physically but in fact they are totally gripped by the electoral process,” he said.
Sudanese government and JEM rebels failed to sign a final peace agreement on March 15, as agreed in the framework deal. They also held unsuccessful consultations in the Chadian capital.
The Joint Chief Mediator, Djibril Bassole, excluded this week that the parties would achieve any progress in the peace negotiations before April 11, date of the elections in the country.
(ST)