Bashir’s presence confirmed for Doha Agreement; JEM urges LJM not to sign

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir confirmed his presence in Doha next Thursday for the signature of the Peace Agreement between the Government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM). During a rally in the city of Aldoam, he however added that no peace negotiations will be made with any rebel groups or foreign parties after the signature anymore, and also warned that any posterior conflict attempts would be severely reprimanded.

 The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) for its part asked the LJM to refrain from signing the agreement, and urged the mediation to join them in this sense, as it believes the agreement would jeopardize the peace process. JEM-spokesman Jibril Bilal said during an interview with Radio Dabanga that this signature will turn into a major disappointment, stressing its similarities with the previously failed 2006 Abuja agreement.

Five years after its signature, the Abuja Accord, which was signed by the Government and the Minawi faction of the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM), was unable to restore peace in the country, and remains as of today a notable scar in the reconciliation process.

 This time, the Government will be signing a cease-fire with the LJM, which represents only a small part of Sudan’s rebellion forces. The JEM movement is also involved in the discussion, but has so-far required further negotiations and refused to sign the Doha agreement. The other rebel groups, including notably the SLM Abdelwahid al-Nour and Mini Minawi factions, have so-far stayed out of the process.

 The chairman of the Darfuri Lawyers’ Union, Mohammed Abdullah Duma, stated earlier this week that he believes the settlement should not be rushed, stressing the importance of the other factions’ involvement if peace is to be achieved.