Darfur JEM welcomes Kiir’s mediation offer
July 15, 2010 (WASHINGTON) — A major rebel group in Darfur today welcomed an initiative put forward this week by Sudanese First Vice President and South Sudan president Salva Kiir to try and mediate in bringing life to the faltering peace talks.
While SLM-Nur has flatly rejected going to the negotiation table before establishing security on the ground, JEM has ended signing up a framework agreement with Khartoum last February in Qatar which is hosting the peace talks.
However last May, JEM officially withdrew from the talks accusing Khartoum of breaching the accord by launching military attacks against its positions. The militarily powerful group also accused Qatar of being biased in favour of Khartoum.
This week, the SPLM said that Kiir will contact both Nur and Ibrahim.
“The first vice president is the only person in the presidency who can talk to both parties … He is a reliable channel to smooth the communications,” said Yasir Arman, a senior official in Kiir’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
“The first vice president is the only person in the presidency who can talk to both parties … He is a reliable channel to smooth the communications,” Arman told journalists.
In the past the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) had reacted negatively to attempts by the SPLM to get involved in the Darfur conflict. Officials from the ex-Southern rebel group have complained that the Darfur crisis shifted the world’s attention and funding away from them.
JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein revealed today that his group will soon send a delegation to Juba for discussions with SPLM leadership.
“We view Kiir as a figure who well understands the issues of marginalization and therefore he can relate and play a constructive role in creating a breakthrough” Hussein told Sudan Tribune.
“The Khartoum government is not serious in achieving peace and its official overseeing their delegation seeks to domesticate the peace process which is really the code name for a new military offensive. Ghazi Salah Al-Deen [presidential adviser] is working on behalf of the military and security apparatus” he added.
The JEM official said unless the NCP shows seriousness efforts to resolve the conflict “will go nowhere”.
Clashes between JEM and Sudanese armed forces have escalated since JEM suspended its participation in the talks lowering hopes of a quick peace deal.
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Mzalendo Mwema
Darfur JEM welcomes Kiir’s mediation offer
To our President Kiir,
This is a hooke or trap and all Southerners are advising you to keep yourself away from the northern POLITICS.Assassination is not far from this MEDIATION so be careful.If you want to help in bringing these two parties together,then let your venue for mediation be JUBA because it is the only safest place for you.
Southerners will be unhappy if you choose another Venue rather than JUBA where YOU HAVE Full protection.
Thyinka
Darfur JEM welcomes Kiir’s mediation offer
Will Kiir not be taking on too much if he mediate between Khartoum and Darfur rebel or does he want to create alliance between the South and Darfur? Either way, the mediation has to be in the interest of Southern Sudan and Darfur if the rebels trust SPLM.t NCP will definitely not be in favour of this offer by Kiir unless they are the one who requested it. The will see it as a political maneuver by SPLM rather than a genuine attempt at achieving peace in Darfur.
Deng Ateny Lueth
Darfur JEM welcomes Kiir’s mediation offer
i don’t see the point, why SPLM was neglected in those first round of talks between khartoum and Darfur rebels. why was Arman at the end repeatedly mentioned of kiir in brokering or mediate their problem in which they ignored south sudan.
Peter Nhiany
Darfur JEM welcomes Kiir’s mediation offer
I agree with some of my colleague one the agenda of our Persident’s safety. But Kiir as the first Vice president, has an obligation to carry out his duties to fulfil his mission as Vice President.
What I would advice would be seek more sophisticated security to protect him. Getting involve politics withe North is not safe to any Southerner who is calling for peace, and who condemn what took place in Darfur.
What other Southerners saying about Bashir action on the Fur people can be projected on our President other way around, and that is why Kiir should be well secured.
Peter Nhiany.
Ayom
Darfur JEM welcomes Kiir’s mediation offer
This is not the right time for Darfurian seeking support from Southern Sudan. How many times they have killed poeple in southern Sudan? since the starting of civil war, they were arms and being send to southern sudan by Khartoum government against SPLA. I am not with them.
Ayom Ayom
murlescrewed
Darfur JEM welcomes Kiir’s mediation offer
Kiir should put his house in order before offering to help Darfur. If he is such a reliable negotiator, why hasn’t he considered talking to Gen George Athor so that and reach amicable solution to issues of concern to Gen Athor?
unity state boy
Darfur JEM welcomes Kiir’s mediation offer
Dear president kiir
you make your self as peace mediator in Darfur and you have problem in south and you did not sold,you have big shame in south sudan.
But takecare for our enemy in both North and west they are not easy.
please our president in the south sudan you shuold control your advisors
becuase south sudan is belong to all us,
Thank by Amen
in UK