December 19, 2010 (DOHA) - Sudanese government and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) will start talks on a cease-fire agreement in Darfur, marking the resumption of direct negotiations after seven months of suspension.
Further, the mediation announced officially that Sudan and Liberation and Justice Movement peace deal will not be signed today as the parties disagree on different issues.
Qatar's state minister for foreign affairs and the Joint Chief Mediator "urge the Government of Sudan and the JEM to conclude a cessation of hostilities agreement before 31 December 2010, and to fully participate in the peace process," said a joint statement put out on 19 December.
The return of the rebel group to the negotiating table intervenes after nearly one month of discussions in Doha between Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud and Djibril Bassole with a high level delegation dispatched by the rebel movement.
The mediators since the summer held a series of unannounced talks with the leader of the rebel group in Tripoli. Also Bassole met with JEM in London and invited them to Doha.
The signing of a ceasefire is seen as positive move that would establish a suitable environment to run a referendum on southern Sudan independence scheduled to take place on 9 January of next year.
Sudanese army carried out intermittent air raids in South Sudan threatening the crucial vote. Khartoum accused Juba of harboring Darfur rebel groups.
US envoy Scott Gration who was in Doha this week took part in the efforts to narrow the gap between the government and JEM rebels to start talks on the ceasefire agreement.
Khartoum and JEM agreed last February to include cessation e hostility in a framework agreement but JEM refused to sign a ceasefire agreement before to conclude a peace deal. Since Abuja peace process Sudanese army used to attack rebels during the talks in order to put pressure on their negotiating delegations.
Last May, JEM walked out of the negotiating table in Doha citing attacks by the Sudanese army against its fighters in Darfur.
POSTPONEMENT OF LJM PEACE DEAL
The mediation also said that Sudanese government and rebel Liberation and Justice Movement are not ready to conclude a peace agreement as it was scheduled previously.
"There remain some key outstanding points that must be agreed upon, and the Mediation will continue to work with the Parties toward the necessary compromises."
The government and the LJM rebels did not yet agree on the power sharing despite the proposals submitted by the mediation on the position of the vice president and the creation of a regional authority in the restive region.
The parties also diverge on security arrangements and the amount of money allocated to compensate the IDPs.
"The Mediation will proceed with the negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the LJM and develop an inclusive way forward, in conformity with the demands for sustainable peace, reconciliation, and the socio-economic development of Darfur," the mediation emphasized.
The chief mediator Djibril Bassole told Sudan Tribune that he believes no lasting peace can be held in Darfur without the participation of all the stakeholders including the rebel groups and civil society groups as well as IDPs and refugees.
In this regard, the mediation urged Abdel Wahid Al-Nur, Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) leader to hold a consultation meeting he plans to organize in Paris to "determine his participation in the Doha peace process before the end of this year".
Ahmed Hussein Adam JEM spokesperson said his group will rejoin the peace process with his new allies who signed a unity charter last Sunday in London.
War in Darfur killed 300 thousands of civilians and displaced over two millions of persons. The conflict will start its eighth year in February 2011.
The return of JEM rebels and the delay of a Sudan/LJM deal will lead to change plans set up by the head of the African Union Panel, Thabo Mbeki to move Darfur peace process to inside Sudan.
The former South African President, supported by the AU Peace and Security Council, seeks to broker Darfur conflict together with north-south difficult post referendum arrangements and Abyei dispute.
The State of Qatar, sponsor of the peace process, however intends to host the process until a peace agreement is concluded in Doha. Djibril Bassole who is supported by the UN Secretary General and the Security Council seems also has the favors of the Gulf state.
An international diplomat dealing closely with Darfur file told Sudan Tribune recently they were very embarrassed by attempts made by different people to destabilize the Doha peace process "just because they want to have it".
(ST)