October 19, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – International envoys urged Darfur rebel groups to join the Doha document for peace in Darfur without preconditions. They also said those who support the non-signatory groups support war and suffering.

From the left UNAMID Ibrahim Gambari, US envoy Dane Smith, and Ch Liu Guijin, the Chinese envoy (photo Olivier Chassot/UNMAID)

Fourteen special envoys to Sudan from Africa, China, European Union and African Union met Wednesday in the capital of West Darfur, El Geneina, to discuss the way forward in their efforts for peace in Darfur after the signing of Doha Darfur Peace Document between the government and the former rebel Liberation and Equality Movement on 14 July (LJM).

They also discussed the impact of South Sudan’s secession and the armed conflict between the government forces and the Sudan people’s Liberation Movement- North(SPLM-N). Sudanese government was represented by West Darfur governor who highlighted the support of South Sudan to the rebel groups.

Speaking at the end of the Fourth Retreat of the Darfur special envoys, the head of the joint Peacekeeping mission and mediator ad interim Ibrahim Gambari called on the rebel groups to join the framework document signed in Doha and addressed also a clear warning to any party supporting them.

"The door has not yet closed but it is narrowing," Gambari said. He added that those who support the hold-out movements "are supporting war, more violence, more killings, more displacements, and more suffering of the Darfur people."

Three historical rebel movements are not part in the Doha process or refuse to sign the Doha Darfur Peace Document (DDPD). The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) with its two factions led Abdel Wahid Al-Nur and Minni Minnawi is not part in the process.

Al-Nur refuses to hold talks with Khartoum unless a number of measures are taken to protect civilians. While Minnawi is not part of the Doha process because he signed Abuja peace deal in 2006, Khartoum says he can only negotiate pending issues in that agreement.

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) was part of the process but refused to ink the DDPD and demanded to open it for discussions but Khartoum rejects this perspective, saying the rebels are animated by another objective "regime change" and not interested in peace.

Following the eruption of fighting between the government forces and SPLM-N fighters in South Kordofan, the three Darfur groups agreed with the SPLM-N on 7 August to reunite their efforts to overthrow the regime. The rebels said no to separate talks with the government for peace in Darfur, South Kordofan or Blue Nile.

"The envoys also noted the need to take targeted measures against those who continue to undermine the peace process," reported the UNAMID in a statement released after the meeting. The head of the hybrid mission recently argued it was favorable for targeted sanctions against rebel groups.

However, there were dissensions among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council last year, when the issu of sanctions against the SLM leader Abdel Wahid al-Nur were raised by some members.

At the time it was thought that such measures would give him the opportunity to appear as a victim. The Security Council in 2008 took a series of sanctions against JEM Khalil Ibrahim but it remained without effect.

The JEM leader returned recently to Darfur and reportedly is in a remote area near the Chadian border, while leaders of the SLM factions are in eastern African countries and Uganda.

The meeting also urged the Sudanese government to keep the door open for talks with the non-signatories as Khartoum said it would give the rebels three months after the signing of the DDPD.

SISSI’S ARRIVAL IN KHARTOUM

The arrival of LJM leader Tijani el-Sissi was announced and cancelled several times over the past few weeks, but on Wednesday a formal announcement was made concerning his arrival, in a press conference held in Khartoum by the state minister for investment and head of joint committee for his reception and LJM leading member Tadjadine Beshir Niam.

State minister Sadiq Mohomed Ali announced that Sissi will arrive on Saturday 26 October and a rally will be organized at a sports stadium in Khartoum. He further indicated that Sissi after his arrival will join his supporters directly at the place of celebration.

The government and JLM diverged over the organisation of the event as the security services were not enthusiast for a big rally the LJM intended to organise to show the support they have among the Darfuris.

(ST)