Arabic Media

October 16, 2023

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Sudan Liberation Movement Denies Suspending Abuja Agreement and Wants Libya Peace Talks Delayed
By: Abdul Wahid Libini

• Arko Minnawi, President Al Bashir top aid and leader of Sudan Liberation Movement, denied rumors that his movement suspended Abuja agreement
• The movement called on African Union, United Nations, and Libya to postpone upcoming peace talks in order to allow more time for consultation between various Darfur rebel groups
• The movement added that it will participate in the talks with a team separate from that of the government
• The movement spokesperson announced that it submitted a request to the United Nations and African Union to investigate the recent attacks on territory under its control
• In the meantime, many Darfur rebel groups headed to Juba in Southern Sudan to work on a common strategy for the peace talks

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Darfur Rebels Attend Meeting in Juba

• A number of Darfur rebel groups headed to Juba to discuss a common negotiating strategy and demands for upcoming Libya peace talks on October 27
• According to Jar Annabi, Silva Kiir urged the rebels to work to uniting the rebel movements and the people of Darfur and offered his movement’s experience in negotiating with Khartoum
• Abdul Wahid Nour was the major no-show rebel leader during this meeting and is also expected to boycott Libya peace talks

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: 7 Rebel Groups to Meet in Juba to Coordinate Their Demands

• Despite the fact that seven Darfur rebel groups were meeting in Juba, it is unlikely that that they would agree on a common strategy, especially that Darfur rebel groups continue to splinter
• Justice and Equality Movement leader Khalil Ibrahim threatened to withdraw from upcoming peace talks in Libya if more than two rebel groups were allowed to participate
• The fact that many rebel fighters continued to leave their leaders and join Sudan Liberation Movement – Unity faction makes it difficult to predict the situation on the ground in Darfur
• Sulaiman Jamous, Unity faction leader, indicated that his movement was trying to reunite all Sudan Liberation factions under one movement

Source: Al Hayat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Silva Kiir Calls on Darfur Rebel Leaders to Coordinate Their Demands and Negotiations Strategy
By: Annour Ahmed Annour

• Silva Kiir emphasized the need for Darfur rebel groups to present a united front at Libya peace negotiations on October 27
• Kiir also offered to put his movement’s experience in peace negotiations with the government at the disposal of Darfur rebel groups
• He added that efforts to convince Abdul Wahid Nour to join the meeting were unsuccessful but contact lines will remain open to convince him to attend Libya peace talks
• Jar Annabi said that Sudan Liberation Movement was trying to unite all its factions under one group, and urged Abdul Wahid Nour to join Juba meeting as soon as possible
• Meanwhile, Sudan Liberation Movement – Minnawi faction, the only Darfur rebel group to sign a peace agreement with the government, denied rumors the movement suspended Abuja peace agreement, and called on AU, UN, and Libya to postpone the peace talks in order to give rebel groups more time to coordinate their positions
• The movement also indicated that the situation in Darfur was getting worse and warned that militia fighters were preparing  new attacks on territories under its control

Read the above in Arabic.