Sudan says referendum in Darfur is good for peace as rebels see big blow
March 2, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — A referendum on the special status of Darfur region will push the ongoing efforts to end the eight year conflict, said the Sudanese presidential adviser entrusted with Darfur file following a two day visit to the venue of peace talks with the rebel groups.
However, the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) declared from Doha that they consider this step as a serious blow and set back to the ongoing Darfur political talks in Qatar. JEM further accused the government of seeking to impose a de facto situation for a matter that still under discussion.
The talks with the rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) are in deadlock over the issues of a vice president post and the establishment of a regional authority to administrate the three states in Darfur.
The status of the region was one of the reasons that led two rebel groups — JEM and SLM-AW — to refuse to sign the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) as the deal speaks about the organization of a referendum at the end of the interim period on this issue.
“The government will organize a referendum administratively to consult the Darfurians residing in the region to decide, democratically and fairly, on whether they want Darfur to have the same administrative system as the rest of the Sudan or a particular status” said Ghazi after his return from Doha on Wednesday.
The answer to this question will push the ongoing efforts for peace in Darfur, he further said.
The government said planning to launch this month an internal process for dialogue among tribal forces, civil society groups, and officials from the elected institutions. According to the government peace strategy, displaced civilians and refugees will encouraged to return to their villages.
Ghazi was in Doha after the government gave a positive response to the new proposals submitted by the mediators to see with the mediators when they can conclude talks with the rebels.
The talks with the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) which will start on Thursday will also deal with this issue of power sharing and the future status of the restive region.
JEM rebels rejected the announcement made by the Sudanese official on the unilateral organization of the referendum.
“The nature and the timing of this announcement by the Regime, is yet another attempt to undermine the efforts of the Mediation and the international community in achieving a just, comprehensive and inclusive peaceful and political settlements in Darfur,” said JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Adam from Doha.
He further urged the “Mediation and State of Qatar, the host country, to declare its clear position on this reckless and destructive step”.
Yesterday in a press conference held in Paris, the Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole said they had proposed last December that a vice-president from Darfur to chair the regional authority in order to enable him to impose his authority vis-à-vis the governors of the three states.
Bassole said they realized that Minnawi’s failure to impose his authority before the three states governments impacted negatively the implementation of Abuja peace agreement.
(ST)
harry
Sudan says referendum in Darfur is good for peace as rebels see big blow
JEM,
I do not think this is a serious blow and set back as you put it, but I think this is a serious opportunity to unite all Darfurians movements and factions to seek self determination. The Khartoums regime like to see YOU disunited without common gaol. So seize this referendum offer and liberate yourselves through self determination from Khartoums long domination of your people.
Thanks,
Harry
Aleu
Sudan says referendum in Darfur is good for peace as rebels see big blow
To: All Darfurian people.
Things maybe you will need to know first. I would say North Sudan because the country is almost two nations already. North Sudan leaders are saying, they would lik to bring Darfurian refugees back home, did Omar al Bashir accepted his indictment to go to Court of the International Judges.? If not then, how that sound to you guys, because the same leader Omar al Bashir with his NCP and same government who was killing civilians are now telling you come back home and do you guys still have a trust with them.?
The whole Arab brothers and sisters are very interesting to tell Darfurians people that, you guys are sharing same religion and same culture, but I would like to say my dear brothers and sisters of Darfur, asking yourself each individual why North Sudan leaders are supporting Omar al Bashir in Darfur’s case does that make sense why the North Sudan’s government is killing your people while they Darfurians people are sharing same religion. For culture I don’t think Darfurian people are sharing same culture because they have their own languages a part from Arabic.
Second to that, please use Addis Ababa peace agreement of Southern Sudan which the North Sudan leader Mr al Ja’afar made a negative promised to the Southern Sudanese Rebels in 1972, telling them there will be an equally sharing power and management, but later they says to Southern Sudanese that, there is no sharing power and there is no sharing resources after the Rebels were being disarming and that could happen to Darfurian Rebels if you guys don’t pay more attention. Use such an example events which was happened on the Southern Sudanese people so that, you will successful in trying to achieve your rights and it will not be easy if you guys are not serious because freedom need more struggle and good thinking.
If truly you guys are going to signing a referendum peace agreement process with North Sudan then, be careful don’t let to be fool by those dominators of North Sudan leaders. Make sure every rights you guys wanted are written properly and let many international body take witness if the North Sudan are accepted your demanding.
Make sure also your Rebels troop must not be mixed with their North Sudan army if failure to let them mixing your Rebels then, automatically you guys will loss and probably faces same situation that happen to Southern Sudanese in 1972, when they were being fool to signed negative Addis Ababa peace agreement which teach all Southerners Sudanese lesson and that is why they achieve finally what to be born in few months young nation. Any way take these advise of mind or throw way and live under North Sudan domination the choice is yours.