Sudanese army begins integration of LJM combatants
February 6, 2015 (El-Ginaina) – The integration of fighters from former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) into the Sudanese Army (SAF) got underway on Friday in West Darfur state capital El-Ginaina, according to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).
The celebration of the start of implementation of the security arrangement item of the DDPD took place at the command of SAF’s 15th infantry division in El-Ginaina amid wide participation by LJM leadership, families of the integrated fighters and leaders of official and popular bodies.
The secretary general of LJM and federal minister of health, Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, described the implementation of the security arrangement item of the DDPD as a “good move”, saying it reflects transition from holding arms against the state to defending the country and protecting peace which has been achieved in large parts of Darfur.
“We took up arms against the state because of a just cause. Now that demands of the people of Darfur have been achieved, we must transform the movement to the political work,” he said.
He added that accommodation of LJM combatants into SAF’s training camps represents the actual beginning of transforming the movement into a political party.
Abu Garda urged LJM fighters to report to SAF’s specified camps for training, revealing serious efforts to implement the move in North and Central Darfur states in the coming two days.
The governor of West Darfur state and LJM’s deputy chairman, Hyder Galu Koma, for his part, said the implementation of the security arrangement item means transforming LJM combatants to peacekeepers and protectors, praising efforts which have been made to integrate the fighters into SAF and the police.
He called upon former combatants to perform their duty in protecting the home country and preserving its gains, stressing that commitment of the Sudanese government and LJM to the DDPD made its implementation a tangible reality.
Galu Koma further pointed to the implementation of several projects in various Darfur states adding it pushed donors and international community to continue their support to the peace process in Darfur.
The commander of the 15th infantry division, Maj. Gen. Osman Sid Ahmed Osman, addressed LJM combatants saying SAF is a national institution that only aims to protect the country and maintain dignity of the Sudanese people.
He pledged to provide the necessary help to train all combatants, expressing hope that LJM fighters would offer a real support to efforts aiming at achieving peace and stability.
The commissioner of the security arrangement at the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), Mahmoud Saad Adam, for his part, stressed continuation of work to complete procedures to integrate LJM fighters in all Darfur states.
The DDPD was finalized at the All Darfur Stakeholders Conference in May 2011 in Doha. In mid-July the Sudanese government and the LJM led by Tijani al-Sissi signed a protocol agreement committing them to the document.
Differences within LJM have escalated in recent months over the implementation of the DDPD which led to the split of the movement into two political parties and will separately participate in the upcoming elections.
(ST)