JEM rebels to meet Darfur mediator in Doha

October 23, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) announced today they will send a delegation to Doha, official venue of peace process, to meet the Joint Peace Mediator.

JEM which froze its participation in Doha with the Sudanese government since last May said today it will send a delegation to Doha to discuss with Djibril Bassole ways to reform the forum in a way to reach a just and comprehensive peace agreement.

Bassole, held a meeting on Friday with the rebel group in London to discuss the resumption of the negotiations with the Sudanese government to end the seven year conflict.

JEM suspended its participation in the talks in Doha after accusing the Sudanese army of breaching a cessation of hostility signed in February this year. They also accused the host country, Qatar, of favoring Khartoum government and disputed its neutrality.

In a statement released today, Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM spokesperson said the talks with the joint mediator will tackle also guarantees provided by the United Nations and the African Union to ensure a free and safe movement of JEM’s leaders including its chairman Khalil Ibrahim between its bases in Sudan and the venue of negotiations.

JEM leader is currently in Libya since the Chadian authorities barred his return to Darfur through Ndjamena last May. Sudan rejected an initiative by the Joint Chief Mediator to organize a meeting with Khalil Ibrahim in Darfur saying he has to sign a ceasefire agreement first.

The rebel spokesperson further said they are exerting great efforts to reunite the rebel groups in the troubled region.

He further added that if JEM decide to return to Doha, will go there united with other “resistance forces” and the decision would be taken by the “united resistance”.

Sudanese government and the rebel Liberation and Equality Movement (LJM) ended direct talks in Doha this week and a steering committee is working on the outstanding issues before to submit their conclusions to the mediation.

Ahmed said they informed the joint mediator that “partial agreements with groups that have no real existence on the ground will not achieve peace” but rather will give the justification for the government to implement is “bloody scheme falsely called new strategy for peace” in Darfur.

During a short visit to Doha on Thursday, presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Eddin who is in charge de Darfur file said they are ready to resume talks with the other rebel groups in order to reach a comprehensive peace deal before the end of the year.

However the Sudanese official warned they will not allow the process to be held hostage by rebels who are not willing to join it.

(ST)