Differences between Sudan’s government and Darfur’s LJM ‘are over’, says official
April 28, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The state’s minister in Sudan’s cabinet and the official spokesperson for the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), Ahmed Fadul, disclosed on Sunday that they had reached an agreement with Khartoum on outstanding issues that led to the group suspending their participation in the government.
The LJM spokesperson said measures have been taken by Khartoum regarding political issues at the national level, as well as procedures and decrees concerning Darfur states.
He stressed that LJM’s members in the legislative and executive branches are carrying out their work as normal, citing the participation of the chairman of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), Dr Tijani Al-Sissi, in a political event yesterday, who was also quoted as saying “now I am in my office”.
On Thursday, Sudan Tribune learned that LJM had decided to temporarily pull out of the government, warning of further measures should it not respond to their grievances within 24 hours.
A source familiar with the matter told Sudan Tribune that LJM feels that Khartoum is dragging its feet on implementing the security portion of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) signed in mid-2011.
The government also did not fulfil its obligation of integrating LJM members into the civil service, the source said.
Furthermore, the LJM is furious over Khartoum’s move to close the International Republican Institute (IRI) and expelling its staff without consulting the DRA.
In the same context, sources confirmed to Al-Khartoum that the LJM has formed three committees to follow up on all outstanding issues with the government, including security arrangements, civil service, and other matters.
According to the same source, the director of the IRI will arrive in Khartoum today to sign a joint cooperation agreement with Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs allowing IRI to continue its activities in Sudan.
(ST)