Key Rebel Groups fail to join Peace Talks

Peace seems elusive as key rebel leaders refuse to join peace talks. Common platforms such as power sharing, security, land, humanitarian affairs and compensation has already been discussed and negotiated however uniting rebel groups and appointing a “leader” may be difficult. As many rebel leaders and international envoys meet in Arusha, Tanzania to continue negotiations, the presence of a few rebel leaders remain void.

This past Tuesday, the African Union renewed its invitation to Suleiman Jamous and Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nur. Jamous, a unifying figure of the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA), has been a key link between Darfur rebels and humanitarian workers. He has been unable to attend the conference due to his failing health. Although, authorities in Khartoum have threatened to arrest him, mediators see him as a crucial member and have informed of negotiations via telephone conference from his hospital bed. On Wednesday, the Sudan government agreed to let Jamous fly to Kenya for further medical treatment.

In the meantime, actress Mia Farrow has offered to take his place during the peace talks. Her offer has not been accepted.

Abdel Wahid, the father of the rebel movement and the first chairman of the SLA, is in exile in Paris. He seat remains empty during the conference, a sign of his influence amongst rebel leaders. Wahid announced that he would only join talk once UN-AU forces have been deployed. The operation is not expected to occur until the middle of 2008.

Darfur rebel say that present AU forces have been unable to stem the violence. Recognizing a lack of support, African nations have pledged 11,000- 12,000 troops. Last month, the UN Security Council authorized up to 19,555 military personnel and 6,432 civilian police. This would be the world’s largest peacekeeping force.

A peace deal was already signed by the Sudanese government in May 2006. However, that agreement failed because only one of the three factions endorsed the deal. In a hurried attempt to secure a deal, the security in Darfur rapidly worsened since the agreement sparked new divisions within rebel factions and surged violence.

The conflict in Sudan began in 2003 when African tribes took arms against Sudan’s Arab-dominated government. Although, two decades of war has existed between the Sudanese government and the Christian and animist rebels in the south, in which 2 million people have dies and nearly 4 million displaced.

For more information please see:

“Darfur Rebel Unity Proves Elusive” BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6936289.stm 8, Aug. 2007.

“Ailing Sudan Rebel Chief Can Go To Kenya” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070816/ap_on_re_af/un_sudan_rebel;_ylt=AlhDODPDH3oiFBLGa.IraBS96Q8F 15, Aug. 2007.

“Africans Pledge Darfur Troops” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070814/wl_nm/sudan_darfur_dc;_ylt=Am6lwARWhbiMUE107tcj5WK96Q8F 14, Aug. 2007.

“African Union Urges Darfur Rebel Group to Join Talks” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070814/wl_africa_afp/sudandarfurtalks;_ylt=Av8gJLRhLQCF4w9yhRBDDNq96Q8F 14, Aug. 2007.