Faction of LJM splits as former Darfur rebel soldiers ‘feel marginalised’

Field commander Ibrahim Jibril Abu Wafi of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) West Sector, said on Thursday that he and a group of 374 soldiers of his faction have split from the LJM led by Dr Tijani Sese, who is also chairman of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA). Wafi explained that the motivation for the split is “because Sese abandoned them; they have been marginalised by the armed wing of the LJM in spite of meeting with him three times”. Moreover, Wafi complained that Sese did not acommodate their requirements and avoided meeting him again. This has prompted the split, he said. The LJM is signatory to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), which was signed in Qatar in 2011. According to the security arrangements in the Document, former rebel fighters are entitled to be absorbed into the national armed forces or to be assigned to political posts. However, there has subsequently been frequent criticism surrounding the pace of implementation of the Document’s provisions. In April the delays prompted Sese to threaten to suspend the LJM’s participation in the government. Commander Wafi said: “We assisted Sese in coming to power, but now he doesn’t want to address our demands regarding the security arrangements and others related to the army and LJM in general. He has done nothing but marginalise us.” Ahmed Fadul, deputy of the Council of Ministers of the DRA and spokesman for the LJM, told Radio Dabanga that the LJM alone cannot answer the demands of the dissidents.“From the LJM’s point of view, if there is someone who wants to leave the movement, it is their decision. But at the same time, the LJM takes full responsibility for our army, leaders and field commanders.” Fadul told Radio Dabanga that the way in which the dissidents split from the movement “is just like others have done before. This is an attempt to blackmail the leadership of the movement, which is unacceptable,” he said. Fadul explained that the dissidents were indeed offered employment within the power structures of the army and DRA, and their appointments are being processed. “Others are waiting for the security arrangements. These are two parallel matters; the entire issue is about time.” Fadul announced that the LJM leadership will hold a meeting over the weekend to discuss the security arrangements. He confirmed that the meeting will take decisions to set-up clear and specific timetables to be announced in a timely manner. “The security arrangements are on the verge of starting. Once they start, they will not stop until they reach the end.” He also stressed that the security arrangements are still on-going: “If anyone says there are no security arrangements, it is not true.” Fadul concludes by reiterating that the LJM leadership is committed to the implementation of the security arrangements, as is the government. File photo: LJM leader Dr Tijani Sese Related: LJM field commanders at odds with movement’s leader – Sudan (5 June 2013) Sudan politician: security arrangement of peace treaty ‘a concern’ (24 May 2013) Former Darfur rebels threaten to leave government (26 April 2013)