June 10, 2009 (EL FASHER) — A delegation of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) led by the AU-UN Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada met today with the Chairman of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Dr. Khalil Ibrahim in Furawiya, North Darfur.
The meeting comes as JEM is under international pressure to undertake full peace discussions with the Government of Sudan. Yesterday a Sudanese court ordered hanging for another 12 JEM fighters, raising to 103 the number of rebels sentenced to death for a 2008 raid on the capital.
UNAMID aimed in the discussions today to “encourage JEM to privilege negotiations as the only way for conflict resolution,” said Noureddine Mezni, the UNAMID spokesperson.
The UNAMID delegation included Political Affairs, Humanitarian, military and Security officials, and a representative from the Joint Mediation Support Team (JMST). Dr. Khalil was accompanied by senior officials and field commanders from the Movement.
This high level meeting is the second of its kind with JEM leadership since the beginning of the current year.
“The problems that Sudan is facing now have no military solution,” said Rodolphe Adada at the meeting, according to a press statement from the peacekeepers. He reiterated that all efforts should focus on boosting the negotiations going on in Doha.
He added that UNAMID has been monitoring with great concern the recent fighting between JEM and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), SLA/Minni in North Darfur during which the Mission played a role in providing medical care for the wounded combatants from both sides.
Adada, reiterating an offer made before recent fighting in North Darfur, pointed out that UNAMID has already developed a monitoring mechanism to ensure that all parties respect any cessation of hostilities that might be reached.
JEM Chairman Khalil Ibrahim reportedly expressed JEM’s readiness for cessation of hostilities in the context of a Framework Agreement and pledged his full cooperation with UNAMID and to contribute to the improvement of the humanitarian situation and protection of civilians until the attainment of a comprehensive peace agreement.
Under direct personal pressure from the US Special Envoy to Sudan, the rebel JEM agreed last month to send a delegation to renew Qatari-brokered talks in Doha. Nevertheless, fighting occurred in North Darfur at various points throughout the month.
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حركة العدل و المساواة السودانية
موقع متخصص بنقل آخر الأخبار و البيانات و القرارات لحركة العدل و المساواة السودانية