JEM rebukes calls for international condemnation of Bashar’s killing
June 19, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) strongly rejected Sudanese government’s accusations that it killed a former rebel leader, Mohamed Bashar, with intention to hamper regional and international efforts to bring peace in Darfur.
Omer also slammed the position of certain countries for saying that Bashar was killed during a battle between the two rebel groups, adding that the Qatari headed International Follow-up Commission (IFC) earlier this month condemned JEM rebels and demanded to hold them accountable of this crime.
The Sudanese government chief negotiator sought to fool the UN panel, also he “expresses his dismay at the failure of the Doha agreement and his personal failure to achieving peace”, said Tugud JEM top negotiator in statements to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
“Actually, he tries to hold JEM responsible” of the breakdown of the peace process, he added.
Ahmed wondered why the Sudanese official censures international parties for their refusal to condemn JEM. “If they do so this is because they are well informed about the nature of the fighting that took place in Darfur” he stressed.
He emphasized that the clashes of 12 May where Bashar was killed were not the first, adding there were several clashes with the splinter faction underlining the death of Saleh Mohamed Jerbo last April.
The UN panel which is formed in May 2005 is tasked with the implementation of the resolution 1591 (2005) particularly the monitoring of arms embargo in Darfur, and individuals impeding the peace process or committing violations of international humanitarian or human rights law or other atrocities.
Tugud also strongly criticized the State of Qatar accusing it of falsifying IFC communiqué issued following the 4 June extraordinary meeting held in Doha to discuss the killing of Bashar and his deputy Suleiman Arko.
“The statement released after the IFC meeting does not express the will of the international community but the wish of Sudan and Qatar which is not a neutral mediator”, said Tugud.
The rebel official went further to say that “Qatar hijacked the peace process from the Joint Chief Mediator, seeking to achieve political gains at the expense of Darfurians’ blood”.
The rebel negotiator further said that Qatar after the failure of the peace talks with the Sudanese government tried to divide JEM and encouraged a dissidence led by the then vice-president Mohamed Bahr.
Doha, since, jointly with Chad and Khartoum, tries to break the Movement, he said.
Qatar hosted the negotiations between Khartoum government and JEM from January 2009 to June 2011 and played an active role besides the joint mediator to bridge the gaps between the two parties.
The late leader of the rebel group, Khalil Ibrahim, had been denied entry to Ndjamena by the Chadian authorities in May 2010 after the failure of a session of talks in Doha.
He was received in Libya and remained there until the fall of Gaddafi regime in August 2011. After what he escaped back to Sudan where he was killed in December of the same year in North Kordofan.
Tugud said Chad continues to support Khartoum in its war against JEM stressing that “Ndjamena is a an integral part of Darfur conflict”.
He further alleged that Chadian troops participated in the recent clashes in South Kordofan besides the Sudanese army.
Asked whether they will meet the UN experts, he expressed JEM readiness to meet them, pointing out they have always cooperated with this panel since its inception. However he did not indicate if they are in contact to meet them within the framework of this investigation.
(ST)