LJM rebels slam Khartoum’s strategy to domesticate solution of Darfur conflict

August 22, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) slammed Khartoum plans to achieve peace from inside the country considering it as an attempt to escape negotiating table.

Last July the ruling National Congress Party approved a new strategy aiming to domesticate the solution to all issues related to Darfur problem, including security, IDPs return, development, reconciliations, humanitarian situation and political negotiations.

In the same month the mediation in Doha suspended the talks between the Sudanese government and LJM rebels after making progress in wealth sharing file while other committees dealing with power sharing and justice witnessed some delay as the government seemed reluctant to respond to rebels demands.

The talks are expected to resume next month in Doha.

LJM Secretary for foreign relations, Sayed Charif, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that his group refuses categorically any attempt to deviate from the official venue of peace talks in Doha. “Such plans taint the credibility of the government and its seriousness to end the conflict in Darfur,” he said.

“This step is considered an escape, a waste of time and a continuation of the genocide. If the government is serious it should put all these files on the negotiating table.”

Sayed further reaffirmed the commitment of his group to the peace talks in Doha and to the signed framework agreement and the cessation of hostilities agreement. But he warned that any delay in the talks may push to the resumption of war in Darfur.

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Khalil Ibrahim suspended its participation in the Doha process accusing the Sudanese army of breaching a cessation of hostilities agreement. Also it claimed that the host country was favoring Khartoum government.

Last May Chad barred JEM chairman Khalil Ibrahim from crossing to Darfur through Ndjamena. Since, he is hosted currently in Tripoli. Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir said recently that the rebel leader would move from Libya soon.

Asked about reports saying there is a new Libyan initiative to reunite further rebel groups and strengthen the peace talks, the rebel official dismissed any Libyan move in this direction. “We were in Tripoli last July met with the government officials there renewed their supportive stance to the ongoing talks in Doha,” he said.

“They promoted the reunification of our factions and supported the establishment of LJM, so I wonder about these reports,” he said. Adding, LJM is united behind its leader Tijani Elsissi.

He called on the other rebel groups to join the process saying LJM wants a comprehensive peace in Darfur to end the suffering of civilians there.

Sayed nonetheless stressed that the rejection of JEM and the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur to join the talks would not stop them from reaching a peace deal with the government.

(ST)