Sudan’s LJM resolves recent internal differences
July 29, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) led by al-Tijani al-Sissi has acknowledged the existence of divergent views on certain issues within the movement, stressing that it had overcome recent internal differences.
Last week, several field commanders defected from LJM and announced joining the former rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) faction led by Bakheit Abdallah Abdel-Karim , aka Dabajo, (JEM-Dabajo), saying they were being sidelined since the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).
The DDPD was signed between the government and the former rebel LJM on 14 July 2011 after more than two years of discussions in Doha. JEM-Dabajo which is a dissident faction of JEM also joined the framework agreement on 6 April 2013.
LJM’s political secretary, Tadjadine Bechir Niam, declined to describe differences of opinion as “dispute”, stressing the movement enjoys internal democracy which allows for free expression.
He told the official news agencies SUNA there are no disputes within the movement, acknowledging existence of divergent views on some issues.
“There were differences on some issues and they were resolved in the meeting which was held in El-Fashir [capital of North Darfur state]. Several committees have been formed to follow up on these issues and assess performance of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) besides ensuring completion of the movement’s security arrangements,” he added.
Niam underscored there is a space of freedom and democracy within the movement which allows for free expression and critique, pointing to the need for the critique to be constructive.
He pointed out that LJM has regulations which control performance within its institutions.
LJM previously denied that a group of its field commanders had defected and demanded joining JEM-Dabago and stressed internal cohesion of both movements, saying they share common visions and objectives on promoting peace in Darfur.
On 23 July, Sudan Tribune quoted a leading member of JEM-Dabajo as saying that they are not concerned by the announcement of the splinters, stressing that LJM is their partner in the DDPD.
He further said they are ready to mediate to resolve differences among LJM members.
The same member further stressed their top priority is to convince non-signatory movements to join the peace process, pointing that it is “unethical” to take in members of your partners in the peace agreement.
(ST)