Sudanese opposition rejects Darfur referendum demands take part in the peace talks

May 12, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese opposition forces rejected the organization of a referendum to determine Darfur‘s administrative status demanding to be part in a negotiated settlement to the eight year conflict in the region.

The National Consensus Forces (NCF), a coalition of opposition parties, refused in a statement released on 11 May the measures adopted recently by the government hold a referendum and create two new states in central and east Darfur.

The 14 opposition parties said these measures aim to domesticate the solution of the conflict and ignore the peace process in Doha. They further stressed that the establishment of new states in Darfur, based on ethnic criteria, will exacerbate differences between Arab and non-Arab tribes.

“Therefore we renew our rejection of these steps and we demand a peaceful and just solution negotiated between the parties to the conflict with the participation of political forces and civil society organizations,” the NCF forces said.

Such participation will contribute to generate a national consensus over the negotiated deal and reinforce north Sudan unity built on a comprehensive peace and democratic transition, the opposition emphasized.

The National Umma Party, Democratic Unionist Party, Popular Congress Party and Sudanese Communist Party were among the signatories of the statement.

The National Election Commission opened last week the registration of organizations and groups who want to observe the plebiscite which is expected to take place next July. The electoral body said Darfurians will be asked whether they favor the current administrative division or support the establishment of a regional government for the whole province.

The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) welcomed the stance of the Sudanese opposition adding that the government of the National Congress Party is not serious to reach a negotiated solution to the conflict..

“The government has adopted methods and tactics to block the Doha forum and prevent the Justice and Equality Movement from playing it role as key actor in the peace process,” said JEM spokesperson Gibreel Abakr Adam.

Gibreel also accused the government of escaping discussions over vital issues as the human rights and public freedoms and retrenching behind the short remaining time to suspend the talks.

The mediators delayed a stakeholders conference that due to take place on 18 May to the end of the month urging JEM and Khartoum to hold serious talks in order to conclude on the pending issues.

The Liberation and Equality Movement led by El-Tijani El-Sissi terminated direct talks with the Sudanese government and the two parties said they would signed a peace agreement at the end of the stakeholders conference.

(ST)