North Darfur governor confirms return of JEM leader to Sudan

September 15, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — North Darfur’s state governor has declared that Khalil Ibrahim leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is present in his state saying that security measures have been taken to prevent any attacks in the region.

The JEM leader announced on Sunday his return to Darfur exclusively to Sudan Tribune after over a year of forced residence in Tripoli, the Libyan capital. Khalil said his fighters successfully transported him out of Libya two weeks before his return to Darfur.

But a Sudanese army spokesperson earlier this week said Khalil’s return was not confirmed. While the man responsible of Darfur peace file, Amin Hassan Omer, minimised the event saying Khalil did not personify the conflict.

State governor Osman Kibir on Thursday broke the silence of the Sudanese authorities over the return of the rebel leader to Darfur. He confirmed that Khalil Ibrahim is in North Darfur state in the area of Wadi Hawar not far from the Chad-Sudan border .

“He arrived on Friday with a few number of fighter and now he started to gather his men,” governor Kibir told reporters in Khartoum after a meeting with the First Vice-President Ali Osman Taha on the security situation in the state.

The governor further said that the Sudanese army and security forces have taken the necessary measures to avoid any “gesticulations” from the rebel group to destabilise the security situation or to carry out new attacks in the state.

“To avoid any move from Khalil. We have made necessary preparations in the state and the sixth division of the army in particular has the responsibility of this matter and precautionary measures will be completed soon.”

Khalil Ibrahim despite tough language against the central government in Khartoum, said he is willing to reach a “just” peace in Darfur. He also said that the Chadian President Idriss Deby can play a crucial role in this regard.

(ST)