Sudanese official heads to Doha to finalize peace pact with Darfur rebels

June 9, 2011 (DOHA) — Sudan’s presidential adviser tasked with Darfur file Ghazi Salah Al-Deen is expected to arrive in Doha on Friday for talks on the finalization of a peace agreement with the rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM).

Darfur stakeholders last week adopted a framework document for peace in the restive region while the government and LJM rebels told the conference they intend to sign an agreement.

The two parties are holding talks on the post of vice president, security arrangements and a referendum on the administrative status of the region that Khartoum wants to organize next July.

Ghazi is expected to hold talks with the mediation and LJM on the peace agreement they are finalizing in Doha. He is further supposed to give the final proposals of the government on the power sharing particularly the ministerial and other executive posts that will be allocated to the rebel group.

The two delegations finished yesterday from reviewing the editing of the peace agreement. They also reached a compromise over the integration of LJM combatants by agreeing on a figure of rebels who will be part of the national army.

LJM chief negotiator Tadjadine Beshir Niam, told Sudan Tribune that they are discussing a proposal submitted by Khartoum on the organization of the referendum without further details.

Last week Amin Hassan Omer, head of Sudanese government negotiating team, said Khartoum was keen to reach an agreement before the adoption of a new constitution. He further stressed it would be difficult to delay the referendum for three years as proposed in the peace document.

Niam said the talks with Ghazi will hold also over the number of ministerial posts allocated to the LJM and JEM. He stressed that the two groups will receive the same number of positions at the central government level and the regional level.

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) welcomed the outcome of the stakeholders meeting stressing it constitutes a good basis for talks with the government. On its part, Khartoum said it will gives three months to JEM to sign a peace deal.

JEM negotiating team members arrived in Doha and the two parties are discussing on the agenda of the talks and with which file they should proceed.

Niam also added that the draft peace deal provides that the president of the republic appoints a vice president from Darfur region. However, he said they have to agree on who will hold this position.

Last week Amin said it would difficult to appoint a former rebel at this sensitive post, but the rebels insist the ruling National Congress Party should not appoint one of its Darfurian members. The parties still have to agree on this issue.

LJM top negotiator said they should sign the peace agreement before the end of June.

(ST)