July 19, 2009 (PARIS) – The African Union-United Nations Joint Mediator for Darfur peace process has welcomed the release of 60 Sudanese soldiers by the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on Friday.
The Red Cross serving as a neutral intermediary, announced on Friday the transfer of 55 army soldiers and five police officers, who had been captured by JEM, to the Sudanese authorities.
The move comes despite the stalemate of talks between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels over the release of JEM fighters that Khartoum refuses to free at the current stage of the peace process.
Djibril Bassolé welcomed on Saturday the release of 60 Sudanese troops held by the rebels and expressed his appreciation to the move adding “I hope it would boost efforts to create conducive environment for talks between the two parties in Doha peace process.”
Speaking with Sudan Tribune from Ouagadougou, the joint mediator also reiterated his call on the Sudanese government, and JEM, to continue cooperating with the Red Cross to release those who are still held.
Sudan and JEM concluded an agreement of confidence building measures on February 17 stipulating that the two parties commit themselves to release the prisoners of war and to improve humanitarian situation of the displaced population in Darfur.
Following the signing of the goodwill agreement the two parties announced the release o 20 prisoners but without the intervention of a neutral body.
The release of the 60 POWs had been decided unilaterally by the rebel movement in May when its delegation went back to Doha for talks on the implementation of the goodwill agreement.
“The handover was undertaken in accordance with international laws and was fully supervised by the ICRC,” said the military spokes person of the rebel group, Ali Al-Wafi.
In a statement issued today he further said “JEM hopes that this unilateral action will encourage its peace partner to rise to the challenge and abide by the Good Will Agreement of February 2009.”
Khartoum, which did not comment on the release of 60 POWs, refuses to free JEM fighters who are sentenced to death. The Sudanese government says it would only release them gradually when the rebel movement signs a ceasefire agreement.
(ST)
حركة العدل و المساواة السودانية
موقع متخصص بنقل آخر الأخبار و البيانات و القرارات لحركة العدل و المساواة السودانية