Mediator approaches SLM over ceasefire; directed to government

The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al Nur (SLM-AW) said that the joint mediator of the Darfur conflict, Djibril Bassolé requested it to enter into a cease-fire in Darfur. The movement spurned the request, saying that the government was responsible for the ongoing clashes.

SLM spokesman Nimr Ibrahim said that his movement asked the mediator to direct their request to the government as it is the one doing the shooting in the province. They informed Bassolé that they were in a case of legitimate self-defense and not in the status of attacking. Nimr said that they had provided evidence on the responsibility of government for the violence in Darfur, showing Bassolé about the entry of the government into areas controlled by the movement, such as Kidingir, Dar Midob, Siyah, Dar Hamra, Tabra, Korma, Deribat, Aradeib El-ushra and Adwa.Bassolé represents the African Union and United Nations and he also works with a team of Qatari diplomats who are facilitating the Doha Forum. They have progressed to a seemingly final stage of negotiations between the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement, but other factions including SLM-AW take a harder line and maintain more troops on the ground.