Sudan, Rebel Groups Report Attempts to Work Towards Peace

News reports coming from Khartoum indicate that the Sudanese government hopes to improve peace relations with rebel groups out of Darfur, including main groups such as the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The Doha peace deal signed months ago that was suppossed to serve as a peace accord for Darfur, included only the Liberation and Justice Movement rebel group as a signatoree, and did not involve the SLM or JEM at all. It was also stated at the time by the Sudanese government that if a deal had not been reached by October with the SLM or JEM, that insurgence could be carried out and violent means taken to essentialy eradicate the groups. But this new announcement included a suspension of sorts on that timeline, and indication that peace will be welcomed at any point by the government. This does not change the fact that peace is rarely legitmately sought out by any of the players (government, rebel groups), and that violence and atrocities continue while the government offers these hollow words and empty statements. The Doha Darfur Peace Document has thus far shown to be another half-hearted attempt at achieving stability in the region, and Darfur and its people are still waiting for any type of meaningful and long-lasting action regarding peace.

David Johnson

www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-says-ready-for-peace-with,40498