LJM commanders demand full implementation of security arrangements in Darfur
February 21, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A group of commanders from the former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) rejected the ongoing Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process, and asked to implement a number of related dispositions in the security arrangements agreement.
The two factions disarmed and demobilised their former combatants who are now in different military camps of the Sudanese army across Darfur region. many of them are now integrated in the Sudanese army and police but others are not yet part of the regular forces.
In a surprising move, some 38 LJM commanders issued on Saturday a statement criticising the decision of Sudanese government and the political leadership of the former rebel group to integrate the former combatants “without the full implementation of the agreed security arrangements”.
The commanders blamed their political leaders for failing during the past four years to implement the security arrangements pointing to their “complicity with [the] regime”, while mentioning the “lack of strong will” at federal government level.
“Accordingly”, we firmly reject the integration of our forces in the regime without the implementation of the disposition contained in the DDPD, including individual and collective compensation, the payment of blood money to the martyrs of the movement, and the assessment and compensation of military equipments,” the statement said.
The LJM military further issued a month one ultimatum for the government to satisfy their demands, adding “otherwise we will make another statement where we will determine our legitimate choice to get the rights of our military and people”.
Sudanese officials were not reachable for comment on these developments.
Historically, the LJM is composed of splinter factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement. They were united under the banner of the LJM in Doha before to engage in peace talks with the government.
(ST)