JEM welcomes Bassole’s move to meet its leader in Darfur

September 6, 2010 (PARIS) — The Justice and Equality Movement welcomed today statements made by the Joint Chief Mediator about a meeting that he intends to organize in Darfur with its chairmen Khalil Ibrahim.

“We welcome Bassole’s statements even if it comes late, and we wait to hear officially from him about his new move. However, it represents a step in the right way and could open a new horizon for peace,” said Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM spokesperson on Monday.

Djibril Bassole told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that he would arrange a meeting in Darfur with Khalil, who is currently in Tripoli since more than four months. He further said he would engage talks soon with the Sudanese authorities to allow his return to the restive region.

Following JEM decision to freeze its participation in the peace process in Doha last May, Chad barred the entry of Khalil Ibrahim to Ndjamena preventing him from joining his troops through its territory. Libya accepted to host him.

“The international law guarantees JEM leadership the freedom of movement and the right to meet its political and popular bases,” Ahmed said. Khalil is the chairman of a legitimate movement participating in a political process, he added.

“We are waiting to hear from Bassole and we will consider what he has to say and then we will take our decision,” he added said commenting the statements of the chief mediator who said he would discuss the resumption of peace talks in Doha.

The rebel official reaffirmed that peace is JEM strategic option. “But we want a fair peace,” he further said.

Despite the suspension of the peace negotiations between Khartoum and JEM, Sudanese government continues talks in Doha with another rebel group, Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM).

Also the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) announced a new strategy to achieve peace through the return of IDPs to their homeland, rehabilitation and development of Darfur. The government plans to involve the elected regional institutions in this process.

Ahmed urged the mediator to distance himself from Khartoum’s new strategy for peace in Darfur saying it is opposed to his mandate for peace in Darfur.

“This strategy aims to impose totalitarian solutions and the mediation has to take a clear stance from this process because it is against his mandate for peace in Darfur.”

JEM spokesperson called on the UN Security Council to hold a special session to evaluate the performances of the hybrid mission. He accused its leadership of compromising with the Sudanese government.

“We also call on the Security Council to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground and to end the international silence over this new phase of genocide.”

The Joint Chief Mediator is expected to start soon a regional tour including Khartoum, Ndjamena and Tripoli to discuss the meeting with the concerned authorities.

(ST)