Vol. 8 Issue 7 - Public International Law & Policy Group
Vol. 8 Issue 7 - Public International Law & Policy Group
Vol. 8 Issue 7 - Public International Law & Policy Group
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The talks mediated by Doha are the first between Khartoum and any rebel group since 2007.<br />
Other rebels rejected the talks, saying they only reinforce the Khartoum's policy of "divide<br />
and rule" in Darfur.<br />
Sudanese government spokesman Rabie Abdel-Attie said Tuesday's agreement demonstrated<br />
Khartoum's sincerity. "The door is now open more than any other time for all rebel groups to<br />
join the peace process," he said.<br />
The war in Darfur began in 2003, when ethnic African rebels rose up against the Arab-led<br />
Khartoum government, complaining of discrimination. Khartoum responded with a military<br />
crackdown and is accused of unleashing Arab militias who carried out atrocities against<br />
ethnic African civilians. More than 2.5 million Darfurians have been driven from their<br />
homes.<br />
An earlier peace agreement, in 2006, was signed only by one rebel group, the Sudan<br />
Liberation Movement, which promptly fractured. Only a single faction stuck by the 2006<br />
deal, which is now defunct.<br />
In the "good intentions" statement signed Tuesday, Khartoum and JEM agreed that peace is<br />
"the strategic priority" in dealing with the Darfur conflict. They set a three-month deadline<br />
for the next round of talks to address the core problems of the war.<br />
The sides agreed in principle to exchange prisoners. At least 50 JEM members are being held<br />
on death row for their role in the attack on Khartoum.<br />
The rebels immediately pledged to free an undetermined number of government prisoners<br />
they hold. The government made no such promises at the signing ceremony in Doha, but<br />
officials in Khartoum said the government is ready to release prisoners, which would require<br />
a presidential pardon.<br />
JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim said "there is a genuine desire to reach a comprehensive and just<br />
solution to this war and to prevent the outbreak of another war."<br />
Abdel-Attie, the government spokesman, said the talks are not aimed at averting ICC<br />
prosecution of al-Bashir. But "if a breakthrough is realized, those who want the international<br />
court to proceed to the end, will find themselves going down the wrong lane, and will be<br />
forced to consider that peace is better followed," he said.
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