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| Africa Horn |
| JEM prominent leaders defect after denouncing the Movement's leader |
| 2023-09-01 |
| [SUDANTRIBUNE] Noteworthy figures within the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) declared their formal split from the organization on Wednesday, designating former political official Suleiman Sandal as their new leader. JEM leader Gibril Ibrahim relieved Sandal, the Secretary of Negotiations and Peace, Ahmed Tugud, Vice President Issa Adam Hasabo, and Secretary of Organization and Administration Mohammed Sharaf from their positions on August 14. The four were sacked after meeting with the RSF deputy commander, Abdel Rahim Daglo, in the Chadian capital last June without prior authorization. The expelled leaders, with their supporters, convened in Addis Ababa, the Æthiopian capital, from August 28 to 30. After the meeting, they announced a course correction for the Movement and elected Sandal as its leader. During the three-day meeting, attendees criticized the movement’s leader, Ibrahim, for allegedly monopolizing gains following the peace agreement. They also accused him of forsaking the principle of neutrality regarding the ongoing conflict and aligning too closely with the Sudanese army. Criticism was also directed at what they perceived as attempts by Ibrahim to impose his Islamic leanings on the organization. In the conference’s closing session, Suleiman Sandal asserted that the JEM would extend an open hand to all political groups except the dissolved National Congress Party, which he held accountable for separating South Sudan and genocidal actions in Darfur. Sandal reaffirmed their neutral stance concerning the war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), stating, "We will collaborate with all political forces and armed movements to halt the war and safeguard civilians." He appealed to the leaders of the army and RSF to heed reason and end the hostilities. Additionally, he urged the Sudanese populace and civil groups to discontinue hate speech and racism and to champion social harmony. Sandal disclosed that the extraordinary conference reviewed the Movement’s past decision to endorse the October 25, 2021 coup, acknowledging the mistake and its contribution to undermining the civil democratic government. JEM, among the gangs signatory to the Juba Peace Agreement, played a role in orchestrating demonstrations that aimed to destabilize the transitional period, providing political cover for the October 25, 2021, coup against the civilian government led by Abdallah Hamdok. Jibril Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement, conveyed that an extensive consultative meeting of the movement’s leadership would take place in Port Sudan on August 31 and September 1. Related: Gibril Ibrahim: 2023-04-30 Peace groups deploy combatants to protect civilians in North Darfur Gibril Ibrahim: 2023-04-26 Civil war in Sudan means return of former regime to power: FFC Gibril Ibrahim: 2021-10-03 Several political factions including ex-rebel groups announce the formation of an alliance separate from Sudan’s main civilian bloc Related: Justice and Equality Movement: 2023-06-24 Renewed clashes in North Darfur capital leave one dead, several injured Justice and Equality Movement: 2021-10-03 Several political factions including ex-rebel groups announce the formation of an alliance separate from Sudan’s main civilian bloc Justice and Equality Movement: 2021-06-21 IDPs are detained in Central Darfur over opposition to peace signatory group Related: Rapid Support Forces: 2023-08-30 Sudan war: army chief in Egypt, his first trip abroad Rapid Support Forces: 2023-08-29 Sudan: Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan denies deal with RSF, flees to Port Sudan Rapid Support Forces: 2023-08-29 Sudan: Army chief gives rare public speech in Port Sudan |
| Posted by:Fred |