LJM rebels warn Darfur referendum will undermine Doha process
April 26, 2011 (DOHA/KHARTOUM) — The Liberation and Equality Movement (LJM) led by El-Tijani El-Sissi reiterated its rejection to the holding of a referendum on Darfur‘s administrative status warning that such a move undermines the whole peace process.
The rebel groups contested the presidential decision to conduct the referendum saying it breaches framework agreements signed in Doha providing that the disputed issue since Abuja talks should be resolved by the negotiating parties.
“The government’s resolution to move forward in this direction will sabotage the whole peace process as it has been always wanted by some circles in the government who are against the Doha forum,” said the rebel group in a statement released on Tuesday.
The LJM further underlined “Darfur people should be consulted after the signing of a comprehensive and just peace agreement, and this measure should be an integrated part of the agreement”.
To break the stalemated process over the administrative future of the region, the presidential adviser in charge of Darfur Ghazi Salah Al-Deen who favours another process, said last March the referendum is part of Abuja peace agreement of 2006.
The mediation plans to hand a draft peace agreement on 27 April to the government, the LJM and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) which makes discussions over Darfur administrative fate a condition to continue talks with the government.
In Khartoum, Sudan’s electoral board discussed today with the head of Darfur regional authority and governor of West Darfur state Al-Shartai Gafar Abdel-Hakam, the ongoing preparations for the plebiscite.
NEC deputy head, Abdalla Ahmed Abdalla, stated that they will start next week to update the electoral register of April 2010 elections to be used in the vote. He pointed out that only are concerned by the consultation Darfurians who currently reside in the three states of Darfur.
He further said a simple majority (50%+1) is required to decide which of the two options will prevail in Darfur.
The ruling National Congress Party, on his part, pledged today to lift the state of emergency in Darfur and create a suitable environment before the conduct of the plebiscite.
However, LJM rebels warned that holding the referendum before a peace agreement securing the return of internally displaced persons and refugees “will exclude large segments of Darfur citizens”.
The government more than once expressed hope to conclude the Doha process by signing a peace agreement with LJM rebels and to start an internal process based on dialogue among the tribal leaders and civil society groups.
(ST)