JEM rebels deny seeking alternative venue for Darfur talks

May 7, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Ahmed Hussein Adam, the spokesperson of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) denies that his seeks to transfer the venue of peace process to Egypt.

The denial comes as Khalil Ibrahim JEM chairman will pay a visit on Saturday to Cairo and the foreign Egyptian minister is expected to arrive in Khartoum on Sunday.

JEM suspended its participation in the peace talks, hosted by the Gulf state of Qatar since 2008, after accusing the Sudanese army of attacking its positions in Darfur breaching a truce they signed last February in Doha.
Adam in statements to the Quds Press denied that the purpose of Khalil’s visit to Cairo is to search an alternative venue to Doha. “We did not wash our hands of Doha venue but we are trying to discuss with Egypt, which is affected by the Sudanese situation, not only the Darfur conflict but also about the difficult conditions experienced by the Sudan after the rigged elections and ways of dealing with the (southern Sudan) referendum, whatever the outcome.”

Khartoum based press reported that Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit would discuss an Egyptian proposal to transfer Darfur peace talks with the Sudanese official.

Al-Ahram Al-Youm newspaper said Cairo had reached an arrangement with JEM rebels on the transfer after the suspension of its participation in Doha talks last week.

The Egyptian foreign minister flanked by the head of intelligence service Omer Suleiman will visit Khartoum and Juba for talks mainly on the next year referendum on southern Sudan independence.

Following the suspension of its participation, JEM said a follow up delegation will remain in Doha to continue talks with the mediation ways to allow the resumption of the peace talks.

(ST)