JEM: ‘Chadian troops cross border into Darfur’
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) announced that a group of Chadian Army troops entered Darfur on Tuesday in what they termed “a blatant act of interference by Chadian President Idriss Deby in matters in Darfur”.The situation on the Chad-Darfur border has been delicate since the killing on Sunday of Mohamed Bashar, leader of a breakaway faction of the JEM and his deputy, Suleiman Arko, in a skirmish near the Chad-Sudanese border.Bashar’s faction signed a peace deal with the Khartoum regime on 6 April. It has been alleged that the fatal attack was carried out by mainstream JEM elements, who claim the skirmish occurred in North Darfur while JEM-Bashar says it took place in Chad.Jibril Adam Bilal spokesman of the JEM told Radio Dabanga that “foreign Chadian troops” moved from Abeche following orders and instructions of President Deby on Monday and entered Sudanese territory on Tuesday. He said that Chadian forces are currently positioned in North Darfur between Karnoi and Umm Baru, “perhaps heading towards Furawiya”, allegedly under JEM control.Bilal said that the intervention of Chad is a clear signal that President Deby is sending these forces towards areas controlled by the JEM. “For its part, the JEM is fully prepared to counter the troops of Idriss Deby,” said Bilal.He added that if Deby thought he could impose security or a new military situation in Darfur, the JEM is fully ready to deal with his forces and all militias he and the Sudanese government might send. “Deby is trying to tip the balance of power against the Sudanese Revolutionary Front, but that is not going to happen.”The JEM has requested the Unamid forces to “implement their obligations and duties” concerning the current movement of Chadian troops in Darfur. Bilal called on Unamid “to stop Chadian troops at the border”. He said that unless this occurs, the JEM will deploy sufficient means to defend itself of foreign Chadian forces in Darfur”.File photo: Chadian President Idriss DebyRelated: Conflicting reports as JEM-Bashar leader dies near Chad-Sudan border (13 May 2013)
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) announced that a group of Chadian Army troops entered Darfur on Tuesday in what they termed “a blatant act of interference by Chadian President Idriss Deby in matters in Darfur”.
The situation on the Chad-Darfur border has been delicate since the killing on Sunday of Mohamed Bashar, leader of a breakaway faction of the JEM and his deputy, Suleiman Arko, in a skirmish near the Chad-Sudanese border.
Bashar’s faction signed a peace deal with the Khartoum regime on 6 April. It has been alleged that the fatal attack was carried out by mainstream JEM elements, who claim the skirmish occurred in North Darfur while JEM-Bashar says it took place in Chad.
Jibril Adam Bilal spokesman of the JEM told Radio Dabanga that “foreign Chadian troops” moved from Abeche following orders and instructions of President Deby on Monday and entered Sudanese territory on Tuesday. He said that Chadian forces are currently positioned in North Darfur between Karnoi and Umm Baru, “perhaps heading towards Furawiya”, allegedly under JEM control.
Bilal said that the intervention of Chad is a clear signal that President Deby is sending these forces towards areas controlled by the JEM. “For its part, the JEM is fully prepared to counter the troops of Idriss Deby,” said Bilal.
He added that if Deby thought he could impose security or a new military situation in Darfur, the JEM is fully ready to deal with his forces and all militias he and the Sudanese government might send. “Deby is trying to tip the balance of power against the Sudanese Revolutionary Front, but that is not going to happen.”
The JEM has requested the Unamid forces to “implement their obligations and duties” concerning the current movement of Chadian troops in Darfur. Bilal called on Unamid “to stop Chadian troops at the border”. He said that unless this occurs, the JEM will deploy sufficient means to defend itself of foreign Chadian forces in Darfur”.
File photo: Chadian President Idriss Deby
Related: Conflicting reports as JEM-Bashar leader dies near Chad-Sudan border (13 May 2013)
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