August 1, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Khalil Ibrahim lashed out at remarks make by the US envoy to Sudan on the need to improve relations with Khartoum government.
US President Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration on Thursday voiced frustration before the US Senate Foreign relations committee with sanctions imposed on Sudan saying it is impeding Washington’s efforts to help people affected by conflicts in Sudan and called on the Congress to assist in easing them.
Gration “is acting like a foreign minister for Al-Bashir and with that he’s harmed the unjustly treated in Darfur and is only strengthening the government,” JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim told The Associated Press by telephone from Darfur yesterday.
Khalil further called Gration’s views “naive”, adding “this man is inappropriate, he is hasty and looking for quick results,” he said of the U.S. diplomat.
Gration failed last month during a meeting held in the Chadian capital to convince JEM rebels to resume Doha talks with the Sudanese government.
The US official seemed minimizing JEM demands on the implementation of a goodwill agreement signed last February with the Sudanese government to build confidence between the two parties.
JEM rebels ask Khartoum to free prisoners of war detained since an attack on the Sudanese capital in May 2008 but Sudan refuses saying they have to sign a ceasefire agreement and engage peace talks first.
During his speech before the Senate panel, Gration said he wants to unify the positions of the Darfur rebel groups and is also seeking to defuse tension between Sudan and Chad that fuels the conflict.
JEM rebels showed their opposition to this approach and say they welcome the merger of the other rebel groups with them as they did with some small factions earlier this year.
Gration arrived to the Libyan capital today to finalize with the AU-UN joint mediators preparation for the next round of talks which is expected to be mainly between Khartoum and Tripoli group composed of five rebel factions.
Gration said in Thursday hearing that the violence and insecurity encountered by the IDP’s is “unacceptable”. He said he intends to improve the security situation on the ground in Darfur in order to protect the internally displaced persons.
He said the there is need to change the mandate of the UNAMID. Also he said he was working with Darfur peacekeeping mission to create “secure sectors and corridors” through which people can move safely which according to him may require aerial capabilities, working more closely with local law enforcement authorities and rebel groups in the region.
The US envoy said that specialized intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities will be needed as peace process progresses that could be coordinated with United States African Command (AFRICOM).
He also proposed allowing UN peacekeepers in South Sudan to assist in Darfur and vice versa.
In a series of meeting held in Darfur camps last July, the IDPs spoke much about the shaky security situation and the need to end the militia attacks. The 2.7 million displaced population believe they would return to their homeland if the government militias are curbed.
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حركة العدل و المساواة السودانية
موقع متخصص بنقل آخر الأخبار و البيانات و القرارات لحركة العدل و المساواة السودانية