February 19, 2010 (WASHINGTON) – The Sudanese government and the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) are inching closer to signing a “framework agreement” paving the way for full blown negotiations between the two sides after a handful of unsuccessful attempts in the past.

The delegations from Khartoum and JEM have been stationed in the Arab Gulf state of Qatar for weeks as mediators sought to kick start talks which ran into hurdles particularly on which sides are to negotiate from the Darfuri side.

The Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudan Liberation Movement Revolutionary Forces (SLM-RF) and the Addis Ababa Group comprising eight factions have differed on whether they should integrate in negotiations with Khartoum or simply coordinate positions. The last option has been rejected by JEM considered the most powerful group on the ground.

Complicating the matters is the weight thrown behind SLM-RF and Addis Ababa group by US special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration and Libya. Some reports have indicated that JEM was on the verge of withdrawing its delegation from Doha because of the deadlock.

However, today things took a different turn after Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir revealed during a rally that people “would soon hear some good news about the ongoing negotiations for the realization of peace in Darfur”.

Bashir added that this “would represent the end of the fighting in Darfur region and for good” but offered no details.

The JEM official spokesperson Ahmed Hussein Adam told Sudan Tribune by phone from Ndjamena that Chadian president Idriss Deby has been facilitating talks between rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim and Sudanese presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Al-Deen who is in charge of the Darfur dossier.

Adam said that Deby’s motive was his “firm belief that full normalization of ties with Sudan is only attainable when peace is realized in Darfur”.

Sudan and Chad agreed earlier this month to end their long-running proxy war, fought through arming rebels on each other’s territory. Deby shares ethnic links with JEM’s leadership and many analysts have accused him of backing JEM.

The JEM official dismissed Bashir’s talk saying the Sudanese head of state “is jumping way ahead of himself”.

“The talks currently underway are to ink a framework agreement not a comprehensive peace accord as some media has reported. It has been JEM’s demand all along before any negotiations can commence. Once that is signed then we can proceed to peace talks” he said.

The JEM senior official said that this framework agreement would include a “temporary cease fire” and that a full ceasefire would only be agreed to during negotiations as part of the security arrangements. Other items include humanitarian issues, IDP’s, wealth and power sharing, release of Darfuri war prisoners.

He further said that there are few outstanding items before both sides can proceed to sign the framework agreement in Doha likely within the coming week he said with the presence of Deby, Bashir and possibly Ibrahim.

“Doha will remain the venue for negotiations and we will continue to work with AU-UN mediator Mr. Bassole. JEM will also consult with other groups and civil society in the process. We are working for the people of Darfur and Sudan to realize their democratic rights in the country” Adam said.

Adam said that JEM’s position on elections has not changed and that they do not recognize it even if held as planned next April. He reiterated that the government “should not seek to rush negotiations to be concluded by the elections date. We are not bound by that”.

Darfur rebel groups have rejected the census result and the voter registration process instructing their followers to boycott it. Many observers say that the restive region should be excluded from the polls given the security situation.

(ST)