Sudan, Darfur rebels agree to hold peace talks

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(Reuters)
Updated: 2009-02-18 19:43

Prisoner Release

At least 50 alleged JEM members are imprisoned in Khartoum, after being sentenced to death on charges of taking part in JEM's unprecedented May attack on the capital.

A photo released by Albany Associates in 2008 shows fighters from the Justice and Equality Movement in the western Darfur region. [Agencies]

They include Ibrahim's half brother Abdel Aziz el-Nur Ashr.

"The movement wants all the parties to the dispute to take part in these negotiations," Ibrahim said, adding that his group was negotiating on behalf of all Sudanese not just JEM.

"Hopefully, we will have the goodwill to reach a just and comprehensive deal that will end Sudan's problems in Darfur."

But other rebel factions were quick to dismiss Tuesday's agreement as destined to failure.

"Any comprehensive peace agreement in Darfur should bring in everybody -- small factions and big movements. This communique will do nothing to bring about a general peace," said Abdelaziz Sam, adviser to a branch of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) which signed the failed 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement with Khartoum.

"Both of the parties are only doing this to achieve their own aims ... JEM wants to get its detainees released. And the National Congress Party wants to show it is doing something positive in Darfur to avoid the International Criminal Court."

SLA's Unity faction and the United Resistance Front said the accord was meaningless with JEM as the only rebel signatory.

"The people of Darfur have paid dearly and they deserve better than is happening in Doha," said Sherif Harir, a senior Unity member, adding his movement would not take part in talks.

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