Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Doha (Agenzia Fides) – "The agreement signed between the Sudanese government and the JEM is important because it is the strongest and most capable military group operating in Darfur," Fides was told by Vittorio Scelzo, who is representing the Community of Sant'Egidio in following negotiations in Doha (Qatar), where yesterday, February 23, a cease-fire and framework agreement was signed by Amin Hassan Omar, leader of the Sudanese negotiators, and Ahmed Tugud, leader of the delegation of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
"The agreement reassures both the domestic political context of Sudan and the relationship among the countries in the region, especially in light of the recent agreement between Chad and Sudan," said Scelzo. "The agreement between Khartoum and N'Djamena has definitely been a turning point in the negotiations with the JEM, as this group has its strategic rear in Chadian territory." In January 2010, the two countries signed an agreement for the "normalization" of their relationship and a protocol on border security, including the deployment of a force of 3,000 men divided into equal parts along the border. Relations between Chad and Sudan have been strengthened by the recent visit of the Chadian President Idriss Déby to Khartoum (see Fides 9/2/2010)
The Doha Agreements were not signed by the other movements operating in Darfur, including the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA). "The SLA is split into different currents, which makes it difficult to arrive at a common position among all its components. Thus, we must continue to work for negotiations that include these groups," explains Scelzo. "However, we cannot assume that the climate of insecurity in Darfur will quickly disappear. Darfur is a vast territory and difficult to control. With the end of military operations of the strongest guerrilla group, the biggest security problem will be the banditry that takes place mainly along the lines of communication."
According to Sudanese press reports, the JEM could reach a political agreement with the National Congress Party (NCP), the party of President Omar el-Bashir, in light of general elections set to take place by spring of this year. "An agreement between the two political groupings is possible, as the JEM was created by people who are sympathetic to the political line of the Sudanese government, which were then acting in dissidence. The JEM, unlike the SLA, has a national political agenda, while the SLA and other groups have focused on the problems of Darfur," says Scelzo. "For this reason, the SLA said that the Doha Agreement will not bring concrete benefits to the region. In fact, the agreement, which still must be refined and supplemented by future agreements, responds to two requests made by all the groups in Darfur: a change in the administrative division of the region and the payment of compensation for victims of civil war."
"Therefore, I believe that the Doha Agreement is very significant and an important step to restore peace in the region," concludes Scelzo.
The Community of Sant'Egidio is pleased that the Doha Agreement calls for the withdrawal of over 100 death sentences in Sudan as requested by Sant'Egidio, which for years has promoted a worldwide campaign for the abolition of capital punishment. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 24/2/2010)
