JEM tells US diplomat they are ready for peace in Darfur

January 18, 2011 (DOHA) — The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) told the US diplomat in charge with Darfur file about their readiness to reach a peace agreement with Khartoum if the latter shows serious willingness to negotiate political solution in Doha.

The American official in charge with Darfur file, Dane Smith, discussed Tuesday peace process with the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) during a visit to Doha for talks with the stakeholders and the mediation there.

The diplomat met on Monday with Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the Joint Chief Mediator to discuss the ongoing efforts held by the mediators there. He arrived to Doha after a visit to North Darfur state last week with the special envoy Gration.

“We informed Dane Smith that a real breakthrough can be reached in Doha, if Khartoum negotiates a political settlement dealing with the root causes of the conflict,” said Ahmed Hussein Adam, official spokesperson of the rebel group.

“We do believe that there is no military solution for this conflict, but the government opts clearly for this one,” he added.

JEM delegation in Doha started last December talks on a cessation of hostilities agreement with the Sudanese government. The mediation said the rebel movement is committed to engage political talks after the agreement.

Khartoum announced the withdrawal of its delegation and froze the talks on the truce. Also Sudanese officials said they will launch this month a plan to end the conflict jointly with the head of African Union Panel Thabo Mbeki and the chief of the peacekeeping operation in Darfur, Ibrahim Gambari.

“We also stressed that Khartoum’s strategy for Darfur is doomed to failure because it had been in the past implemented in Southern Sudan. It aims to impose a military solution and does not open any political horizon.”

JEM spokesperson said they regretted that “some parties” are now involved with the Sudanese government in its efforts to undermine the Doha process and to sabotage the efforts of the Joint Chief Mediator for peace in Darfur.

“We also pointed out that UNMAID has to win the hard and mind of Darfur people and to fulfill its mandate before anything,” he said referring to the political role that Gambari seeks to play in the resolution of the conflict.

Smith is appointed on 13 December to demonstrate the determination of the American administration to end Darfur conflict. Advocacy groups blamed President Obama and his special envoy Scott Gration for neglecting Darfur since his arrival to the White House.

(ST)