December 18, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Tijani el-Sissi, leader of the Liberation and Justice Movement, accused the International Criminal Court (ICC) of impeding the achievement of peace in Darfur, as President Omer al-Bashir appointed LJM secretary general as federal minister of health.

Bahr Idriss Abu Garda (AFP)

The remarks were made during a press conference held in Khartoum on Sunday after a first meeting of the Joint Commission tasked with the resolution of disputes facing the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) in the areas of ceasefire and security arrangements.

The ICC prosecutor on 15 December in a report to the UN Security Council accused the Sudanese government of continuing its attacks on civilians and asked for a serious support to his efforts for the arrest of government officials including President Omer al-Bashir.

Also, Luis Moreno-Ocampo earlier this month requested a new warrant for Sudan’s defense minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein.

Speaking after an inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission, el-Sissi accused the war crimes tribunal of obstructing ongoing efforts to end the nearly nine-year crisis in Darfur. after the signing of a peace agreement with the Sudanese government last July in Doha.

Sissi said ICC recent decisions attempt to derail the efforts to bring peace in Darfur. He further said these moves come at the wrong time and coincide with the beginning of the implementation of the Doha document.

He pointed out that special courts adopting transitional justice mechanisms, will be established according to the DDPD to bring justice to Darfur.

The head of Darfur authority unveiled an agreement between Sudan and Chad to return some 50.000 refugees but stressed that it is important to provide security and establish schools and health centres before to start the repatriation of refugees.

"Their repatriation should be well prepared," he said.

Ibrahim Gambri, UNAMID chief chaired the joint mechanism meeting attended by the government, LJM, and representatives of the European Union, Arab League, Qatar, Canada, China and Norway.

UNAMID’s Force Commander, Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, who chairs the Ceasefire Commission presented during the meeting a report on its activities which started since 22 August. The report denoted " considerable decrease" in clashes between the government and rebel groups; but however says that insecurity continues in the region.

The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir appointed Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, LJM Secretary General as minister of heath in the national government. The decree also included four state-minister from the former rebel group and other political parties.

Sissi told reporters that President Bashir will announce the formation of DRA during the two next days. He said the announcement was delayed due to the formation of the national cabinet.

(ST)