Sudan launches demobilisation exercise of former Darfur rebels
November 12, 2014 (EL-FASHER) – The Sudan Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (SDDRC) launched on Wednesday the demobilisation exercise for combatants belonging to different former rebel groups in Darfur.
The hybrid peacekeeping mission UNAMID, which tasked in accordance with the security arrangements said the month-long exercise includes more than 500 ex-combatants from JEM-Sudan and 200 former combatants from the Darfur Peace Agreement –SLA-Mustafa Terab, SLA-Mother Wing and JEM-Peace Wing.
Last August, the Sudanese army said it had integrated 1,350 combatants from the Justice and Equality Movement faction led by Bakheit Abdallah Dabajo (JEM-Sudan), in accordance with a peace agreement signed in Doha last April
At the time, JEM-Sudan political secretary, Nahar Osman Nahar told the Sudan Tribune they have some five thousands combatants. He further said that two other batches of their fighters based in Nyala and Geneina will be integrated soon.
The integration of the former rebels always delayed the implementation of the signed peace agreements in the past.
However, the government recently opted for their integration in the ranks of the army and paramilitary forces such, the Rapid Support Forces, which are under the command of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
Last week some, commanders of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) of Tijani al-Sissi issued a statement protesting the delay of their integration and blamed the head of their movement.
The event was attended by State Minster in the Presidency, Fadul Abdallah Fadul, the Head of the Darfur Unit, General (Rtd) Abdallah Mohamed Abdul, UNAMID Deputy Force Commander, Major General Balla Keita, the North Darfur deputy governor, Adam Mohamed Hamid Nahla and the Qatari ambassador.
UNAMID deputy force commander reiterated the mission’s commitment to support the peace process in Darfur and the implementation of the signed agreements. “We hope that the ongoing demobilisation exercise will serve as a key driver for ongoing mediation efforts,” he further said.
The deputy governor, Nahla, said that the ongoing conflict has damaged the social fabric of Darfur and called on the ex-combatants to fight tribalism and racism within their communities.
(ST)