African Union’s criticisms to Darfur mediator are unjustified – rebel groups
April 15, 2011 (DOHA) — Darfur rebel groups participating in the peace process have said they are committed to reach a negotiated settlement in Doha and blamed the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for its unjustified criticism to the Joint Chief Mediator.
The rebels groups were reacting to a statement by the AUPSC disparaging the efforts done by the mediator Djibril Bassole and blaming him for not coordinating with the former South African president Thabo Mbeki who intends to hold a political dialogue process in Darfur gathering all the stakeholders of the eight year crisis.
“The statement issued by the African Union Peace and Security Council criticised for unclear reasons the Joint Chief Mediator and at the same time praised other parties particularly the UNAMID which failed to protect civilians and stop the killing, kidnapping and the frequent abuses of human rights in the camps of the internally displaced people,” said the statement.
The rebel movements said the mediation has “achieved considerable progress” to reach a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in Darfur. They further said they support the efforts undertaken by the mediators to hold a general conference for all Darfur stakeholders during the last week of this month in Doha.
The parties participating in the Doha process have adopted four chapters of the peace agreement. The endorsed protocols deal with the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Justice and Reconciliation, Compensation and Return of IDPs and Refugees and Wealth Sharing. JEM however, did not submit its final comment on the wealth sharing as it stopped talks to protest the government’s decision to organise of a referendum on the disputed issue of Darfur administrative make up.
JEM and LJM said in their statement are favourable to the Darfur Political Process that the head of the AU high level panel, Thabo Mbeki, intends to hold in Darfur but they added that this dialogue conference cannot be held before a peace deal is reached in Doha, repeal of the state of emergency law and create suitable atmosphere for consultations among the different stakeholders including the armed groups.
Yesterday the joint mediator Djibril Bassolé said the conditions for the AU sponsored conference are not yet met.
“Personally as an African I would recommend to the former heads of states who are members of the (AU high level) panel to conduct a dialogue process that will get the acquiescence of all Darfurians and that will not be rejected or fought by those who are not part of it for the moment”, Bassolé said.
“The complexity of the crisis in Darfur requires a consensual approach, slow by nature,” he cautioned.
Analysts agree that necessary conditions for the dialogue process are not yet met as the rebel groups expressed repeatedly their distrust in the process and expressed doubts over Mbeki’s neutrality to lead the operation.
(ST)