The deputy chairman of the Darfur-based Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) said the rebel group is holding talks with a U.N. mediator to put pressure on the Sudanese government to “prioritize bringing peace” to the restive Darfur region.
Abdulaziz Abu Nummosha also denied the LJM has signed an agreement with President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir’s government to create more instability in Darfur to divert attention from the upcoming referendum in semi-autonomous south Sudan.
“To have a lasting solution to the Darfur issue, is it very important to have all the concerned parties to be involved here, I mean the other movement (Justice and Equality Movement).”
This came after the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) approved a new strategy aimed at a “radical re-direction” by managing “internally” the Darfur peace process, including the issues of security, development, reconciliation, resettlement and political negotiations.
But, the LJM dismissed the new strategy as a provocation and an affront to Darfur residents saying it is “a waste of time and a continuation of the genocide.”
Meanwhile, another round of peace talks between the LJM rebels and the government is scheduled for 29th September in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Nummosha said the talks are aimed at ending the escalating violence in Darfur’s internally displaced camps.
“We will not sign any peace agreement unless it is comprehensive, to address the root causes of the crisis in Darfur.”
He also called on the Justice and Equality Movement rebel group to join the next round of the Doha peace talks to find a lasting solution to the ongoing Darfur crisis.
Dijibril Bassole, the U.N.-African Union chief appointed mediator for the talks has called on both sides to return to the negotiating table to find solutions to the Darfur crisis.
