Sudan denies UN arrangements to move JEM leader to Darfur

September 13, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese government dismissed press reports about arrangements by the United Nations to move the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to Darfur from Libya.

London based Asharq Al-Awsat daily said this week that preparations are taking place to transport JEM chairman Khalil Ibrahim to Darfur. The report further said that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon is backing an initiative by the Joint Chief Mediator, Djibril Bassole to hold talks

Djibril Bassole told Sudan Tribune last week he intends to seek Sudan’s agreement to arrange a meeting in Darfur with the rebel leader who is currently in Tripoli, Libya, since last May after the refusal of the Chadian authorities to allow him to cross to Darfur.

The peace mediator, who arrived today in Doha, will fly this week to Khartoum to inform officially the Sudanese government of his initiative.

“The Government had not been informed (officially) about such arrangement,” said a statement issued by the office of Presidential Advisor Ghazi Salah Eddin who is in charge of Darfur file.

“The United Nations cannot take such action without the knowledge and consent of the Sudanese government,” the statement stressed.

Rabie Abdel Atti, an advisor to Sudanese minister of information said in statements published today in Khartoum “Khalil is an outlaw in the eyes of the government and his return can only be implemented after the signing of a peace agreement”.

For its part, the rebel group welcomed Bassole’s statements about Darfur’s meeting. JEM leader in May said he would not return to Doha before to consult with his commanders in Darfur.

JEM froze its participation in the Doha peace process in May after accusing Khartoum of breaching a cessation of hostilities agreement signed in February of this year.

(ST)