Rebels unwilling to compromise on single Darfur province

The Liberation and Justice Movement, the rebel umbrella group in talks with the Government of Sudan, says it will not compromise on the administrative status of Darfur. The Darfuri rebels demand that the western-most region of Sudan be restored to its status as a single province, combining the three existing states of West, South and North Darfur.Tijani Sese, president of the movement, says the government’s refusal to accede to this demand will bring about the end of the Darfur peace negotiations in Doha. He described the government’s insistence as representing “the collapse of negotiations.”

The issue has partly to do with the Fur, who would be the largest ethnic group in a single province but as it stands are divided in such a way that they are not dominant in any of the three states. Tijani Sese is a Fur and former governor of Greater Darfur. The rebels are also demanding the position of vice president.

Dr. Tijani Sese was responding to remarks by Dr. Ghazi Salah Al Din, the presidential advisor charged with the Darfur issue. Ghazi said that the government refueses to grant the Darfur region the status of a single province and also will not concede the position of vice president.

Sese said that there are still many of outstanding issues. He added that he no longer sees the need to go hold popular consultations — as requested by the mediation in advance of a potential signing ceremony next month — as long as the government refuses to accede to key demands and justice for the people of the region.