Darfur rebel group denies taking part in Cairo meeting

June 15, 2009 (NAIROBI) — A rebel group denied reports over its participation in Cairo talks to unite the positions of seven Darfur groups ahead of their participation in the peace negotiations in Doha Qatar next month.
The Sudan Liberation Movement of Ahmed Abdel Shafi, known as SLM-Juba faction dismissed its participation in a meeting held in the Egyptian capital earlier this week.
“Our movement was not a party to the Cairo meetings,” Al-Hadi Idriss, the head of Political Department in the rebel group told Sudan Tribune, before adding that Egypt was not serious in its efforts to end the Darfur conflict.
The rebel official further said that two dissidents participated in the meeting in the name of the SLM-Juba faction. He was alluding to Mohamed Saleh Harba and Mohamed Ali Nassir.
Seven rebel groups concluded on Monday a meeting organized by the Egyptian government to consolidate a joint vision and negotiating position.
In a statement released at the end of the Cairo Consultative Forum, the groups said Egypt provided a road map to unite the rebel groups in one organization but also asked them, if they fail in this, nevertheless to have a common political vision and unified negotiating position.
The seven rebel groups further said they developed two options, either to unite in one structure or simply to have a common negotiating position. They agreed to meet within a month after studying the proposed options.
Al-Hadi insinuated that Egypt’s prominent role in the talks is due to its desire to compete with its regional rival Qatar, which is hosting the Darfur peace process.
He also wondered how Egypt can play a role to end Darfur conflict while the meeting is taking place in Cairo with simultaneous presence of the ICC wanted President Omer Al-Bashir in Cairo.
The groups that met in Cairo include two splinter groups form JEM, the United Resistance Front led by Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, and Justice and Equality Movement- Azraq faction, besides Sudan Liberation Movement – Unity led by Abdallah Yahya, the SLM led by Khamis Abdallah Abakr, and the SLM – Juba faction of Mohamed Saleh Harba.
(ST)