Sudan, rebel group discuss ceasefire in Darfur
January 29, 2013 (DOHA) – The Sudanese government and a splinter faction of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) are negotiating a temporary ceasefire agreement in the Qatari capital, a rebel official confirmed on Monday.
The two parties signed a negotiations agenda on Thursday 24 January stating that the parties will discuss issues proposed by the rebel group. The deal however provided that JEM-MC propositions should not contradict the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) signed in 2011 by the government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM).
According to the text of the signed agreement, seen by Sudan Tribune, the parties will discuss: power sharing, wealth sharing, compensation, return of internally displaced persons and refugees, justice and reconciliation, and security arrangements.
Nahar told Sudan Tribune that the DDPD is incomplete and needs some additions.
“The DDPD is the foundation on which we build”, he further said.
Sudanese government initially said the talks should be limited to the security arrangements and power sharing related to the participation of the rebels in the federal, regional and local institutions.
The rebel official said they believe that no military solution can end the 10-year conflict and reiterated their determination to reach a negotiated settlement.
The rebel JEM-MC faction broke away from the Justice and Equality Movement in September 2012.
Weeks after the dissidence they announced their acceptance to negotiate with the Sudanese government, which approached them through the Chadian president Idriss Deby.
Last November, they elected Mohamed Bashar as chairman of the group and started preparations for the negotiations.
(ST)