LJM rebels warn Darfur referendum will undermine Doha process
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April 26, 2011 (DOHA/KHARTOUM) — The Liberation and Equality Movement
(LJM) led by El-Tijani El-Sissi reiterated its rejection to the hold
of a referendum on Darfur administrative status warning that such move
undermines the whole peace process.
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A child sits next to food rations in the Shangle Tubaya New IDP Camp
in North Darfur October 17, 2010 (Reuters)
The National Election Commission (NEC) announced that the vote on
whether Darfur will be administrated by a regional government or not
will take place on the first day of July some days before the formal
separation of the South Sudan.
The rebel groups contested the presidential decision to conduct the
referendum saying it breaches framework agreements signed in Doha
providing that the disputed issue since Abuja talks should be resolved
by the negotiating parties.
"The government’s resolution to move forward in this direction will
sabotage the whole peace process as it has been always wanted by some
circles in the government who are against the Doha forum," said the
rebel group in a statement released on Tuesday.
The LJM further underlined "Darfur people should be consulted after
the signing of a comprehensive and just peace agreement, and this
measure should be an integrated part of the agreement".
To break the stalemated process over the administrative future of the
region, the presidential adviser in charge of Darfur Ghazi Salah
Al-Deen who favours another process, said last March the referendum is
part of Abuja peace agreement of 2006.
The mediation plans to hand a draft peace agreement on 27 April to the
government, the LJM and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) which
makes discussions over Darfur administrative fate a condition to
continue talks with the government.
In Khartoum, Sudan’s electoral board discussed today with the head of
Darfur regional authority and governor of West Darfur state Al-Shartai
Gafar Abdel-Hakam, the ongoing preparations for the plebiscite.
NEC deputy head, Abdalla Ahmed Abdalla, stated that they will start
next week to update the electoral register of April 2010 elections to
be used in the vote. He pointed out that only are concerned by the
consultation Darfurians who currently reside in the three states of
Darfur.
He further said a simple majority (50%+1) is required to decide which
of the two options will prevail in Darfur.
The ruling National Congress Party, on his part, pledged today to lift
the state of emergency in Darfur and create a suitable environment
before the conduct of the plebiscite.
However, LJM rebels warned that holding the referendum before a peace
agreement securing the return of internally displaced persons and
refugees "will exclude large segments of Darfur citizens".
The government more than once expressed hope to conclude the Doha
process by signing a peace agreement with LJM rebels and to start an
internal process based on dialogue among the tribal leaders and civil
society groups.
(ST)
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