According to the Sudanese Army, Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), has returned to Sudan after escaping to Libya for upwards of a year. JEM is one of the most prominent rebel groups in the embattled state, and it appears that Ibrahim is currently located in perhaps its most troubled region, Darfur. It remains to be seen what Ibrahim’s intentions are, but the Sudanese Armed Forces spokesman made clear the government’s view on his return, describing him as an “easy target” now that his location has supposedly been discovered.
There have been countless international efforts to try to bring peace between rebel groups such as JEM, and the government institution in power in Sudan, and the U.S. is spearheading some more efforts that are supposed to include a negotiation session at the end of the month. In addition, Ibrahim himself has been quoted as saying all he wants is peace in Darfur. But past events have dictated a different story, one that has always included violence and armed uprisal instead of any sustained form of peace. And as Sudan continues to fight battles over territory and other long-standing issues with its new neighbor, South Sudan, Khalil Ibrahim’s reappearance could indicate that more conflict is on the radar with the ever troubled region that is Darfur.
David Johnson
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