Government of Sudan Releases 8 JEM Detainees, Following UNAMID

1 Dec 2008

Government of Sudan Releases 8 JEM Detainees, Following UNAMID

January 17, 2008 -- The Government of Sudan today released eight Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) detainees in El Fasher into the custody of UNAMID Force Commander, General Martin Luther Agwai, in his capacity as Chairman of the Ceasefire Commission (CFC), as witnessed by the Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada.

Six detainees were JEM Representatives to the AU Ceasefire Commission, and were arrested on 29 December near the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) Forward Headquarters in El-Fasher.

The seventh was arrested earlier in Kulbus. One of the detainees belonged to the JEM Collective
Leadership Faction and was arrested a few days ago in El Fasher. The African Union condemned the
arrest at the time, describing it as a violation of the N’Djamena Ceasefire Agreement of 2004.
According to Government of Sudan officials, the eight were arrested for passing on information
regarding Government troop movements to JEM.

The Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada, and UNAMID Force Commander, General
Agwai, worked closely with Government of the Sudan officials to negotiate their release following
their arrest. As a result of this intervention the Government of Sudan agreed to release the detainees
into UNAMID custody. The official handover of the detainees was made by Major-General Imad Ad
Diin Mustafa Adawi, Western Area Commander, to Force Commander General Agwai.

During the handover General Agwai and Major General Adawi highlighted the good relationship
between the UNAMID peacekeeping force and Government forces, but stressed the need for greater
co-ordination. Major-General Adawi stated that this release should be seen as a gesture of goodwill on
the part of the Government, and called for the reciprocal release of government soldiers captured in
recent fighting in West Darfur. JSR Adada committed to helping in any way possible to assist in their
release.

General Mohammed Bashir of JEM, spokesperson for the released detainees, expressed his gratitude to
all those who had worked for their release. General Agwai, who said he would facilitate the detainees’
transfer away from government-controlled areas within 24 hours, according to the Government’s
demand, stated “This is evidence of a change of heart by the Government, and I hope that it is the
beginning of a new way of doing things in Darfur. A new way to settle differences and a new
beginning for all parties, who should now understand that there is no military solution to the conflict in
Darfur.”

(UNAMID press release)