JEM says willing to release Southern Sudanese POWs detained in Darfur

January 24, 2011 (DOHA) — The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said willing to release 13 Southern Sudanese soldiers belonging to the national army captured during different clashes in Darfur.

The rebel figure and JEM humanitarian affairs secretary, Suleiman Jamous, told Sudan Tribune they handed a list of 30 Prisoners of War (POWs) to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressing their readiness to release them.

“Among them there are 13 soldiers from Southern Sudan that we decided to free them because they are no longer our enemies,” he said adding “We decided their release in order to celebrate the birth of the new State of South Sudan”.

Jamous was speaking with Sudan Tribune from his hotel in the Qatari capital Doha where the rebel group is negotiation a cessation of hostilities agreement with Khartoum.

The government delegation left Doha since the end of December saying talks can be followed through diplomatic channels and delegations between Khartoum and Doha. Also unconfirmed reports say the government seeks to establish direct contacts with the rebel group despite the hostile public discourse.

The rebel official said they handed on Sunday the list to the Red Cross and the latter can only perform the operation when it gets the green light from the Sudanese authorities.

Experts estimate that the over 20 percent of the Sudan Armed Forces elements are from Southern Sudan. Khartoum did not disclose its plans for their future as the South will be proclaimed an independent state next July.

Speaking about the other 17 POWs from northern Sudan, Jamous said “all of them are suffering from various diseases and need treatment and medical care.”We decided their release for humanitarian reasons,” he stressed.

Below the names of the southerners that JEM decided to release and waiting the result of the ICRC contacts with Khartoum.

First Corporal Tanj Daraj, First Corporal Ban Kundai Wak, Corporal Malara Guy Guy, Corporal Tut Sin Jack, Corporal Nwai Shon Foj Jack, Corporal Galwal Tonj Beyk Tajuj, Corporal James Bol Shol, Corporal Michael Mdawk Riyak, Corporal Thomas Cloudy Ibrahim, Corporal Oliver Zak Rijack, Corporal Joseph Mzouk Mror, Soldier James Suku, and Soldier Marino Lino Dario.

(ST)