Darfur rebel factions unite for peace talks

ADDIS ABABA, Monday

Four Darfur armed rebel factions have agreed to establish a unified front after a US-sponsored negotiation in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa over the weekend.

Four rebel factions: United Resistance Front, Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdulwahid, Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdulshafi and Sudan Liberation Movement-Unity have agreed on the roadmap to unify their struggle and to engage in peace talks with the Sudanese government.

The agreement was mediated by US President Barack Obama's special envoy to Darfur, Gen Scott Gration.

“It’s a remarkable achievement” General Scott Gration told reporters.

Initially the rebels planned to elect their unity leadership in Addis Ababa. However, there is yet no clear agreement on the leadership post.

Rebel factions have created a committee which will continue to deal with the remaining issues including leadership.

Ahmed Abdulshafi Toba chairman of Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdulshafi said the unity talk does not include ceasefire.

Abdelwahid Nur's Sudanese Liberation Movement, which has refused to participate in previous unity talks now agreed to abide by the unity roadmap.

There are roughly 30 rebel groups fighting for equitable share of the Sudanese oil and fair representation in the national political system.

One of the main armed rebel group, Justice for Equality and Movement (JEM) did not take part in Addis Ababa unity talk after seriously quarrelling with Obama’s envoy Scott Gration.

Scott Gration has advocated loosening some sanctions to allow delivery of development aid to southern Sudan before the scheduled 2011 referendum on independence. He has also said he sees no reason to justify keeping Sudan on the US terrorism list. JEM strongly condemned General Gration's proposal.

Last month, JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim accused Gration of “acting like a foreign minister” for Sudan President Omar Al Bashir.