Al-Nur May Change His stand on Darfur Talks

12 July 2010 - (Khartoum/France) – The Darfur anti-government group, the Sudan Liberation Movement Abdulwahid Al-Nur faction, says that they are ready to engage in a peace talks with the government.

The SLM led by Abdulwahid al-Nur has previously refused to participate in peace talks with the government regarding Darfur.

The SLM made the statement after a meeting with the Qatar foreign minister Ahmed Ibn Abdalla Al-Mahmoud and the UN-AU joint mediator Djibril Bassole in France on Thursday.
The SLM spokesperson Ibrahim Al-Hilu who attended the meeting, spoke to SRS from France on Saturday.

[Ibrahim Al-Hilu]: “Of course we met with the joint international mediator, Djibril Bassole and the Qatari envoy, Al-Sheikh Hamad and the French foreign minister, regarding the peace in Darfur. The international mediator and the Qatari brought the idea that we are to join Al-Doha negotiation, this is their idea, but ours is clear, peace in Darfur comes with security, our idea is to start with security on the ground then we will go for peace anywhere. Therefore we exchanged views then agreed on how to reach to peace deal. We are always for peace, but peace comes with security to our people at the ground. By disarming the Janjaweed, chasing the new settlers, and stopping genocide and rape in Darfur, is what we agreed upon. They should make more efforts on the ground so we can go for peace talks anywhere.”

The Government of Sudan has described Al-Nur’s move as “pleasant news” which could contribute to the peace process in Darfur.

The advisor to the minister of information in the Government of Sudan, Doctor Rabie Abdullaati, spoke to SRS on Monday from Khartoum.

[Doctor Rabie Abdullaati]: “If it is true that the AU-UN joint mediation will join Abdulwahid Mohamed al-Nur to the on-going Doha peace talks, this will be pleasant news, since the Government of Sudan is ready to negotiate with all groups in Darfur. So this move is highly welcomed by the Sudan government, and the government does not mind Abdulwahid joining the negotiation table to present his different opinions. The government also has its opinions, but I think exchanging and discussing the points of conflict will be a step towards achieving peace in Darfur.”

Doctor Rabie Abdullaati, speaking to SRS from Khartoum Monday.