LJM unhappy with implementation of Darfur peace accord

May 5, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) has expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) but nonetheless expressed hope that the upcoming Darfuri internal dialogue could help achieve a comprehensive settlement for the crisis in the restive region.

The DDPD signatory also declared that differences between its chairman Tijani Al-Sissi, and the secretary-general, Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, have been settled.

The United Nations- African Union joint chief mediator for peace in Darfur Mohamed Ibn Chambas announced on Monday that the conference for internal dialogue in Darfur would be held on 26 May in North Darfur state capital of El-Fasher.

Ibn Chambas further said that senior government figures will take part in the conference in order to support the dialogue process to achieve permanent peace not just in Darfur but throughout Sudan, adding that that Darfur development strategy has made significant progress.

LJM spokesperson Ahmed Fadul told Sudan Tribune on Monday that the DDPD provided for holding the Darfuri dialogue in order to allow all political, civil and social components of Darfur society to express their views on the peace process and tribal reconciliations.

He said that invitations for the Darfuri dialogue will be extended to all concerned parties without exclusion except for those refusing to attend.

In a separate context, Fadul underscored that differences in views between Abu Garda and Sissi were cleared, adding that the recent meetings of the LJM leadership council which took place in El-Fasher managed to overcome differences on how to carry out reforms within the movement.

He refused to get into the details of both leaders’ stances, noting that LJM is an umbrella comprised of several factions and reform must take place gradually taking into consideration the large number of those factions.

Fadul also said the leadership meeting discussed activation of political partnership with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), revealing that they formed several committees to follow up on the implementation of the DDPD.

“We are satisfied with what we have done from our side but implementation is less than what we aspire to achieve”, he added

The DDPD was finalised at the All Darfur Stakeholders Conference in May 2011 in Doha. In mid-July the Sudanese government and the LJM signed a protocol agreement committing themselves to the document.

(ST)