Three representatives of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) stand accused of severely beating two fellow Darfurian negotiators at the Abuja, Nigeria peace talks.
On Saturday January 28, Mohamed Mansour Kitir, Mohamed Bushara Yahia and Sali Basheer Tiyya brutally attacked Ibrahim Sideeq and Amani Basheer apparently because the victims had decided to depart the JEM and join the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA), an allied party in the talks with the Sudanese government. The victims were taken to the hospital, and the attackers were expelled from the country.

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy condemns this violence in the strongest terms, and prays for a swift recovery of the victims. This crime comes at the worst time for the people of Darfur, who continue to suffer at the hands of the Janjaweed militia and its backers in the Sudanese government. The attack plays into the hands of the Al-Bashir government who want nothing more than for the talks to stall as the Darfurian parties squabble.

Darfurians are fighting for freedom and democracy, and yet the JEM representatives attacked two of their own people because of their choice of political association. This is shameful, and the people of Darfur unfortunately will pay the price if the talks are delayed.

While most Darfurian negotiators in Abuja are peaceful and courteous, this incident highlights the general lack of education, experience, and political maturity of many of our representatives. Because the Sudanese government thwarts the educational and occupational aspirations of Darfurian youth, it is impossible to gain the diplomatic education or experience necessary to effectuate a successful negotiating strategy. Damanga calls on the international community to train the Darfurian negotiators and to provide them with expert assistance.

The JEM must take immediate action to ensure that this atrocious behavior is not repeated. The JEM must recognize the right of all people to free speech and political association if it hopes to convince the international community that it is a serious political force.