March 7, 2009 (PARIS) — The Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) announced that it would reconsider its position toward a peace process hosted by Qatar if the latter invites the International Criminal Court (ICC)- indicted President Omer Al-Bashir to the Arab summit to be held later this month, JEM’s chairman told Sudan Tribune.

- Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabir al-Thani and JEM Leader following his arrival to Qatar Wednesday Feb 11, 2009 (Photo QNA)
The Sudanese government and JEM rebels signed a goodwill agreement on February 17 in the Qatari capital, pledging to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the six-year conflict in the western Sudan region of Darfur.
In an interview conducted yesterday, JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim condemned the expulsion of 13 aid groups saying it clearly violates the Doha deal which included a number of a number of confidence-building measures.
Among these measures is a guarantee from Khartoum for "the smooth and unobstructed flow of relief assistance to the needy people without any obstacles or constraints."
"We hope that the State of Qatar declines to receive [President] Al-Bashir to attend the Arab Summit; if not we would be forced to reconsider our position on the peace process," stressed Khalil Ibrahim who added that the Sudanese president is a "fugitive wanted by international justice".
Qatar will host the 21st ordinary summit of the heads of state of the Arab League on March 30th. Sudan has said that Bashir intends to attend the summit and disclosed that a Qatari official is due in Khartoum to deliver the invitation.
Djibril Bassole, the joint peace mediator, met on March 4 with the head of the Sudanese government delegation Nafi Ali Nafi to discuss the upcoming talks with JEM. Amin Hassan Omar, the spokesperson of government delegation reaffirmed Khartoum’s commitment to the Doha peace process despite the ICC indictment for President Bashir.
On Wednesday the ICC judges approved a request by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo to charge Bashir on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which include murder, rape and torture. The three-judge panel said it had insufficient grounds for genocide.
Ibrahim said that JEM is committed to the peace process, adding however that "if Bashir refuses to go to The Hague he would lose his legitimacy as president of the Sudan".
The JEM leader hailed the ICC decision related to the arrest warrant of the President Bashir, describing it is a "historical turning point in the political history of the Sudan and a strong message to the dictators through the world".
He further invited the international community to cooperate with the ICC to arrest Bashir: "JEM is ready to cooperate with the ICC to arrest Al-Bashir and any other criminal in the world. We also call upon the international community to stand with us to arrest and deliver him to the ICC," he added.
He further said that Bashir should be removed and proposed the formation of a transitional government to settle the Darfur crisis and national outstanding issues before holding general elections in the country.
Furthermore Ibrahim has called on the UN Security Council to adopt an Oil-For-Food programme to feed the displaced persons in Darfur and the refugees in neighboring countries. According to the rebel leader, a no-fly zone over the Darfur region should be decreed by the UN to provide the necessary protection to the IDP’s.
He also appealed to the international community to act unilaterally and adopt any necessary measures to protect the civilians including steps to allow aid groups to enter Darfur from the western border without being hampered by the Sudanese authorities.
UN experts estimate some 300,000 people have died and 2.5 million driven from their homes. Sudan blames the Western media for exaggerating the conflict and puts the death toll at 10,000.
(ST)









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