U.S. expresses condolences to Darfur JEM over death of its leader
December 27, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The United States special envoy for Sudan Princeton Lyman and his senior Adviser for Darfur Dane Smith offered their condolences to the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on the death of its leader Khalil Ibrahim.
Several rebel sources privately accuse two neighboring countries and an Arab Gulf state of coordinating the killing of Ibrahim using a drone aircraft.
Ahmed Hussein Adam the external relations adviser at JEM told Sudan Tribune that Lyman and Smith called Gibreel Ibrahim who is Khalil’s brother and the movement’s external relations secretary.
The two U.S. officials extended their condolences to Gibreel and discussed JEM’s future after Khalil’s death and its position on Darfur peace efforts.
JEM is not a signatory of the the Doha Darfur Peace Document (DDPD) that was signed last July between the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM).
Adam said that Gibreel emphasized to the U.S. diplomats that JEM’s institutions remain intact and cohesive despite the “irreparable loss” of its leader.
“We told them that the movement has institutions and a charter that regulates its work in situations like this and therefore there will be a smooth transition of power especially that we have a historical responsibility towards our people and we must observe that,” he said.
He added that JEM affirmed its commitment to a political solution and its call for a comprehensive approach to resolve the issues of peace in Sudan.
The JEM official also confirmed their adherence to the program of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) and that its obligations will not be affected by the death of Khalil Ibrahim.
JEM and Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) are part of a four-member-alliance, formally announced last month. The SRF also includes Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) and SLM led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur with a stated aim of overthrowing the regime in Khartoum.
(ST)