Sudan initiates contact with rebel commanders in Darfur
October 21, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government revealed on Tuesday it had been in contact with rebel commanders in Darfur to arrange peace talks with them under the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).
Omer further said they are working with the neighbouring Chad to prepare peace talks that will be held in the Qatari capital, Doha.
A number of rebel commanders earlier this month accused their leader Minni Minnawi of nepotism and corruption and demanded reforms within the group.
Sources close to the splinter rebels say Chadian president Idris Deby has encouraged them to reach an agreement with the Sudanese government.
Deby agreed in a tribal conference for peace in Darfur held in the Chadian town of Um Jaras last March to contact the rebel groups and to convince them to join the ongoing efforts to end the 11-year conflict in western Sudan.
The Sudanese state minister refused to disclose the identity of the rebel commanders saying it is too early to unveil their names but vowed to give more details at the right time.
On 18 October, the spokesperson of the splinter commanders, Adam Saleh Abakar, told the semi-official Sudanese Media Center they are in contact with the Sudanese government in order to negotiate a peace deal.
The Chadian president, who belongs to Zaghawa tribe like many rebels in Darfur, initiated contact between the government and splinter rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in September 2012, with the two sides signing a peace agreement in April 2013.
(ST)