Sudan peace negotiator rejects Khalil’s return to Darfur region

June 1, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese government expressed on Tuesday its tacit rejection to transport the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) from Libya to Darfur following a meeting held by the joint peace mediator with Khalil Ibrahim.

Khalil is in the Libyan capital since 19 May after the refusal of the Chadian authorities to allow him to cross to Darfur and his forced return to Tripoli. Ndjamena also confiscated his passport.

The Joint Chief Mediator met the rebel leader in Tripoli on May 30 to discuss the resumption of the peace process which is announced for June 6. With regard to Khalil’s demand to return to Darfur Djibril Bassole said without Khartoum’s permission the United Nations could not transport him back to Darfur.

“We as a government we do not have any comment on the movements of Bassole or his actions” Amin said, adding that any country in the world does not allow the existence of rebel factions in its territory, and any country facing security challenges, deal with it according to what it deems good (for its security)”.

Last week, Salah Gosh the former head of Sudanese security and former presidential adviser for security affairs said Sudan was opposed to the presence of Ibrahim in Darfur.

JEM suspended its participation in the Doha peace talks accusing Khartoum of violating a trune they had signed last February. Also, daily fighting taking place in Darfur between the rebel group and the Sudanese army.

On Monday the two belligerents confirmed clashes in Adeela Mountains near Muhajariya, South Darfur. The two parties alleged winning the battle. JEM military spokesperson said they “captured substantial amount of military hardware including 40 vehicles” while the Sudanese army spokesperson confirmed the army attack on the rebel position saying they destroyed 35 vehicles and seized three others besides heavy and small arms.

Last month the army took the control of a rebel bastion in Jebel Moon in West Darfur.

The government top negotiator told reporters at the headquarters of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in Khartoum, that his government rejects the terms advanced by the JEM to return to the negotiating table in Doha.

“These conditions are unacceptable,” he said.

Amin further said JEM wants the government to halt negotiations with any other rebel movements and to enlarge the agendas of talks in order to discuss all the issues of Sudan and not Darfur only.

The mediation manages two separate negotiations one between the government two rebel movements, JEM and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) led by El-Tijani El-Sissi. The second group is formed from a number of rebel factions thanks to Libyan government since last year.

Libya refused Sudanese demand to press Khalil Ibrahim to return to Doha to resume peace talks. Tripoli said seeking to persuade him to rejoin voluntarily the peace talks.

“We understand the position of Libya, although we do not agree with his presence there but we understand that there is a problem due to Khalil’s lack of travel document and the lack of clarity about his next destination,” said Amin commenting the Libyan position.

“We do not agree to transfer him to any neighboring country,” he further stressed.

Khartoum seeks to prevent Libya to allow Khalil departure to another neighboring country as Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda. “They want to confine him in Tripoli or to return him Doha,” said a reliable source speaking from Khartoum.

The rebel group had called on the UN Secretary General and the Joint Peace Mediator to ensure his return to Darfur. Khalil Ibrahim also said he would not go back to Doha unless he returns to Darfur.

(ST)