Bassoule commends rebel recognition of negotiations as the sole means to end suffering of people in Darfur
29 January, 2011
Khartoum, Sudan (Sudanow)- The main Darfur rebel movements, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement SLA on Saturday issued a joint statement saying they for the first time were committed to the international peace talks process, hosted by the government of Qatar. UNAMID has described the move as a breakthrough.
“The venue of Doha, Qatar, under the auspices of the united nations, African Union initiative and the government of the state of Qatar, is currently the only viable and save venue for the negotiations of a political solution to the conflict” the leaders of JIM and SLA said in joint statement released on Saturday.
"I wholeheartedly welcome the joint statement from the main Darfur movements which for the first time ever states their common commitment to the international peace talks, an unprecedented agreement to stand together on issues. This breakthrough gives all of those who have been committed to Darfur in recent years a new reason to hope that a just and sustainable peace can be reached.” Joint Chief Mediator of the African Union, United Nations mission in Darfur for the peace process in Darfur, Djibril Bassole said in a statement he issued on Saturday.
The Doha peace talks which have been going on for more than a year have been marred by continued boycotts from either one of the main rebel movements making it impossible to move forwards as they never were in the same round ever. Continued fragmentation of the rebel movements made it difficult to conclude a round of talks in Doha or any other venue.
The Justice and Equality movement, JEM, the main rebel movement in Darfur led by a former regional minister and Islamist had once attacked the national capital Khartoum and was repulsed by the army and pushed back to the wilderness in westerns Sudan. The Sudan Liberation movement led by former Presidential Assistant Mini Arko Minawi is politically active and has military presence in the field, albeit weakened by recent army attacks. The Mini faction was the only movement that signed a peace deal with Khartoum in the Nigerian capital of Abuja in 2006. The two form the major movements in the bush.
Unhappy with the absence of the movements the government in Khartoum decided to move the talks inside the Sudan and to continue with a strategy it devised for the internal solution to the problems.
The movements however saw in this move, “a Khartoumization” and that it would give upper hand to the government in Sudan at the expense of the Darfur rebel movements.
“Any attempts to move the negotiations inside Sudan will necessary give the government of Sudan control over the process “they complained.
The statement issued by Bassoule, stressed the importance of this moment was clear, and he calls on all members of the international community, all leaders of the Darfur people and the Government of Sudan to take seriously the important roles you play in deciding whether peace can be achieved in Sudan.
Bassole said the leaders of Darfur clearly realise that now was the time to come together, to leave behind the long history of struggle and conflict, and from the depths of suffering, to realize the aspirations of a people for the just and equitable peace they deserve. He said to reach a true peace in Darfur, it is essential that all the belligerents enter immediately into negotiations and cease hostilities.
“This is a political and humanitarian imperative, and today’s joint statement is a major step towards a shared commitment to a negotiated resolution. I strongly urge that this step forward be the basis for all those committed to peace to join together, to seize the opportunity that lies in front of us, and make the courageous decisions that history demands from such moments. We continue to welcome other leaders from Darfur to engage fully with this renewed common effort for peace.“Bassole said in his statement Saturday.
He said the Sudan was looking forward, facing the future, and there was no place for obstruction or excuses, adding that Darfur can and must be central to Sudan's future, and that there was no excuse for denial or evasion.
“I call on the Government of Sudan to respond positively and engage those with a clear commitment to the Doha Peace Process in the final round of talks that can deliver a comprehensive and inclusive peace agreement for the people of Darfur.I call on the Justice and Equality Movementand the Liberation and Justice Movement to build on this bold step, by working together on a common platform, to build on the progress of the peace process so far, and to deliver on the demands of the people of Darfur. “Bassole appealed.
He said it was clear from this joint statement that the Darfur leaders strongly agree that peace can only be achieved through an internationally mediated peace process.
Only a solution that includes the full commitment of the Government of Sudan, the Armed Movements, and the People of Darfur can deliver a just a sustainable peace. Anything short of this will only deliver prolonged suffering, conflict, and injustice.
“This is the most promising moment in years for a serious peace, but this opportunity will fade unless we all choose to make it the start of the end of this conflict and the beginning of a new era for the people of Darfur and all Sudan.” The negotiator said.
End
Mo
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