JEM-Dabajo threatens to denounce peace agreement over rifts within the group
April 21, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The former rebel Justice and Equality Movement led by Bakheit Abdallah Abdel-Karim alias Dabajo (JEM-Dabajo) threatened to scrap a peace deal signed with the government, accusing some government officials of igniting dissidence within the group.
JEM Dabajo secretary for presidential affairs Nahar Osman Nahar accused some officials in Darfur peace implementation follow-up office of being involved in these internal rifts and backing the splinter group.
“There are a number of officials in the office of Darfur peace implementation follow-up who encourage, support and finance the splinter faction as part of a process aiming to dismantle the movement,” Nahar told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
He however underlined that the head of the office Amin Hassan Omer, was not involved in this “destructive process”, saying these officials are staff members of his Office. He further said that the presidency also is not aware until the moment this plot against his group.
“The continuation of such practices is threatening the peace process and will jeopardise the signed peace agreements,” Nahar further said.
The group signed a peace deal with the Sudanese government on 6 April 2013 however, its implementation started in November of last year due to the killing of its former leader Mohamed Bashar in clashes with JEM mainstream in May 2013.
Nahar said Dabajo will arrive to Khartoum during the upcoming days to discuss the implementation of the peace agreement stressing that what happens does not encourage the non-signatory groups to join the peace process.
Since the return of the group to Khartoum, different leading members accused Dabajo of tribalism and nepotism saying he surrounded himself with people from his family and ethnic his group, excluding the non-Zaghawa members.
(ST)