Sudan’s interior minister says JEM leader is in remote North Darfur
November 15, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese Minister of Interior Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid said on Tuesday that the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Khalil Ibrahim is in a remote area of North Darfur state.
Minister Ibrahim stated today the security situation is improving despite the “international targeting” of the country and its resources. The minister was referring to the international condemnation of the bombing of a refugee camp inside South Sudan.
Speaking about the situation in Darfur, the Interior minister said the regular forces have successfully improved the security situation in the region. He stressed that UN reports on the voluntary return of displaced persons and refugees in Darfur, are the best proof of this improvement.
He went further to say that JEM leader is isolated in a far remote area of North Darfur “unable to move after the interruption of supply lines for his troops since the fall of Gaddafi’s (regime in Libya) and improved relations with Chad.”
Last Month Sudanese army spokesperson, Al Sawarmi Khaled, asserted that JEM chairman is not inside the Sudan. He went to say “there is no evidence of his entry to Darfur.” He added such reports are circulated by his rebel group to polish their image.
The minister also criticised a coalition of three Darfur rebel groups with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) terming it as an attempt to boost the morale of the defeated rebel groups.
The SPLM-N, JEM and the two faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) and the Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) announced formally last Friday the establishment of an alliance to overthrow the government in Khartoum.
(ST)