LJM apology to people of Darfur

The secretary-general of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), Bahar Idris Abu Garda, has offered his apologies to the people of Darfur for the failure of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) to address their issues, and implement the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

In a meeting of LJM leaders on internal matters and the implementation of the DDPD, signed by the former rebel movement and the Sudanese government in 2011, Abu Garda apologised to the people of Darfur “who deserve more than an apology. I feel remorse because the DRA could have done much more regarding the Doha peace accord.”

The Sudanese Electoral Commission approved the application by the Liberation and Justice Party on Sunday. Abu Garda announced the registration of his movement as a political party in December.

In early January, internal conflicts between LJM head El Tijani Sese and Abu Garda surfaced, with both leaders publicly accusing each other of misbehaviour. After Sese dismissed Abu Garda, the LJM Interim Board decided on 17 January to withdraw his mandate. The Board’s chairman would take over his functions until 10 February, when the LJM’s general conference will start, during which a new chairman will be elected.

In 2009, Abu Garda was charged by the International Criminal Court in The Hague of war crimes committed on Unamid peacekeepers at the Haskanita base in North Darfur. He voluntarily appeared before the Court in May 2009. In February 2010, the charges were dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence.