Sudan and JEM sign peace deal for Darfur in Doha

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the government signed yesterday the peace framework for a final peace. The signing ceremony was attended by President Omer Al Bashir, the Chadian president Deby and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The ceasefire agreed upon started on Wednesday, 24 January and they committed to finalize a peace agreement outlined in the framework agreement.

This agreement should be followed by a separate deal with other groups present in Doha. Hashim Hamad, a leader of the revolutionary forces of Tripoli that just merged with another coalition of factions under the name Liberation and Justice Movement told Radio Dabanga that there are consultations underway to provide another framework agreement.

The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al Nur (SLM-AW) refuses to negotiate with the government asking first for disarment of government-backed militia. Wahid told Radio Dabanga that this is a false peace process for elections and a repeat of the Abuja agreement. In this agreement the SLM led by Minni Minawi signed a peace deal. The JEM and the SLM-AW refused to sign a peace deal agreement in Abuja.

JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim urged all other rebel movements to join and negotiate as one delegation. Yesterday two other groups containing different factions announced to join the peace talks as one party, the above-mentioned Liberation and Justice Movement under the leadership of Al Tijani Sese.

The Emir of Qatar pledged to give one billion US dollar for Darfur rehabilitation, development and reconstruction. A fund would be established for this purpose.