Sudan says UN will not transport JEM leader to Darfur

May 29, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan voiced its opposition to transport the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) into Darfur by the United Nations after suspending the participation of his group in the peace talks.

Chad denied Khalil Ibrahim on May 19 from entry to Ndjamena in order to join his troops in western Sudan where they are based. Since he urged the UN-African Union mediator to secure his return to Darfur threatens to withdraw from the negotiating table.

The United Nations would not dare to move Khalil to Darfur, said Salah Gosh Presidential adviser for security affairs Salah Gosh in remarks he made on Thursday at the Sudanese parliament. “The government has shown a clear opinion in this matter,” he disclosed.

The mediation can use only the logistical means of the hybrid peacekeeping mission to transport JEM leader to Darfur, although in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed in February with the government, UNAMID has to grant prior permission from the Sudanese authorities.

The rebel leader, who has no travel document because Chad destroyed the passport it had delivered to him, is currently in Libya.

Khartoum exerted pressures on Tripoli to force Khalil Ibrahim to return to Qatar to resume the peace talks. But Libya said dialoguing with the rebel leader to persuade him to return voluntarily to the venue in Doha.

Qatar and the Joint Chief mediator said willing to deliver travel documents enabling him only to fly to Doha to resume the peace negotiations.

The mediation announced peace talks will restart on June 6, and an invitation will be extended to the rebel groups including JEM.

(ST)