Minawi refuses to integrate troops unless by terms of DPA

Minni Arko Minawi, president of a Sudan Liberation Movement faction, said he would integrate his forces only in accordance with the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), also known as the Abuja Agreement. He was speaking to journalists in Khartoum via teleconference from his new headquarters in Juba.The DPA required rebel forces to integrate into the military or lay down their arms, while government-aligned Janjaweed militia were to be disarmed of heavy weapons and cantoned. Although the peace deal resulted in bringing to a close hostilities between Minawi’s forces and the military, the integration never went forward as planned.

Minawi yesterday said he would only integrate his forces after disarmament of the Janjaweed, the expulsion of the Chadian opposition, and the formation of a technical team. He also said that he would not return to Khartoum unless the National Congress Party implements the Abuja Agreement. The ex-rebel chief said that he would not return to war, but added that only 5% of the DPA has only been implemented.

The press conference comes in the wake of government announcements that the faction signed a security arrangements deal on 30 October. Minawi subordinates in El Fasher were reportedly engaged in talks with security officials and agreed to begin merging forces after the upcoming holiday, Eid Al Ahda. Power struggles within the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority, which Minawi chairs, have broken into the open in recent months.

Minawi was the only major rebel chief to sign the DPA in May 2006. He subsequently held the title Senior Assistant to the President of the Republic but was stripped of that position recently. Some government officials have insisted that the DPA expired after the completion of general elections in April of this year.