Darfur Anti-Government Groups Reject Governments Proposals

10th March 2011 – (Doha/Darfur) –The Darfur anti-government groups say the federal government proposal for a referendum on the administrative status of Darfur can affect the progress of the Doha peace talks.

The spokesperson of the Justice and Equality Movement, Ahmed Hussein Adam says the government is trying to speed up the talks.

He spoke to SRS from Doha on Wednesday.

[Ahmed Hussein Adam]: “Generally, this thing which is happening now it will not bring any peace in any case. What is happening is designed and planned to end things here in al -Doha very fast by all means. However we have reported these to the mediators, that it’s very clear now that the government does not want any peace, they always say that they want an understandable peace, we are here in the peace talks, and there they do thing one sided issues, in case of the region, we cannot joke about it, our stand is very clear, if they insist in these issues? That means they have an end to the peace talks here in Doha.”

The head of delegation for the Liberation and Justice Movement, mister Taj al Deen Niyaam told Sudan Radio Service that the move by the government should be suspended for the peace talks to continue.

[Taj al-Deen Niyaam]: “Any referendum or adding of new states from one side has to wait till all the parties agree first here in al-Doha for comprehensive peace. After that, we will agree on any additions to the states or reducing of the states or if a referendum is to be done when or how so, that is the most important matter.”

However the governor of Southern Darfur state, Abdul-Hamid Musa kasha said the anti-government groups cannot decide on behalf of the people of Darfur.

[Abdul Hamid Musa kasha-Arabic]:“The anti-government groups are not authorized by the people of Darfur and they don’t have any right to decide in behalf of the people of Darfur concerning the referendum. Those who are mandated are the administrations and the people of Darfur. “

The proposal for a referendum in Darfur was submitted by a commission formed by president Bashir after a recommendation from the Sudan’s People Initiative Conference of October 2008.