Sudan, Rebel Group Discuss Ceasefire in Darfur

Photo: Olivier Chassot/United Nations
Displaced by fighting between government and rebels (file photo).

Doha — Sudanese government and a splinter faction of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) are negotiating a temporary ceasefire agreement in the Qatari capital, a rebel official confirmed on Monday.

Nahar Osman, political adviser of the leader of JEM- Military Command, told Sudan Tribune that the two negotiating team in the Qatari capital Doha are discussing a ceasefire deal renewable every three months before to engage talks on the agenda defined in a framework agreement.

The two parties signed a negotiations agenda on Thursday 24 January stating that the parties will discuss issues proposed by the rebel group. The deal however provided that JEM-MC propositions should not contradict with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

According to the text of the signed agreement, seen by Sudan Tribune, the parties will discuss : power sharing, wealth sharing, compensation, return of internally displaced persons and refugees, justice and reconciliation, and security arrangements.

Nahar told Sudan Tribune that the DDPD is incomplete and needs some additions.

"The DDPD is the foundation on which we build", he further said.

Sudanese government initially said the talks should be limited to the security arrangements and power sharing related to the participation of the rebels in the federal, regional and local institutions.

The rebel official said they believe that no military solution can end the 10-year conflict and reiterated their determination to reach a negotiated settlement.

The rebel faction broke in September 2012 from the Justice and Equality Movement.

Weeks after the dissidence they announced their acceptance to negotiate with the Sudanese government which approached them through the Chadian president Idriss Deby.

Last November, they elected Mohamed Bashar as chairman of the group and started preparations to the negotiations.

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Sudan Govt, Rebels Sign Ceasefire Agreement

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The deal has been described as a major breakthrough to end ten years of fighting that has left scores displaced in Darfur. Read more »