{{Sudan President Omar al-Bashir has declared a general pardon for all rebel movements operating in the country, including insurgents in the hard-hit Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.}}
At an address at the end of a regional conference for peace and reconciliation in the Chadian city of Um Jaras, President Bashir said the government would drop any charges but if the groups disarmed.
They should also commit to the current faltering peace talks being mediated by the African Union, or any other mediators, he said.
Mr Bashir said that the government was committed to ending the civil war in the country.
“We are committed to achieving peace and stability to Darfur and other war regions in the country through peaceful means,” the President said.
“But security and justice can’t be reality unless the rebel movements put down their weapons and come to work together to build the desired national reconciliation.”
The second Um Jaras forum on peace and security in Darfur ended its sessions on Sunday and recommended disarming all rebel groups and militias saying that Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF) must be the sole entity that has the right to bear arms.
Participants at the forum declared their full support for peaceful co-existence among the tribes in Darfur.
The meeting was also attended by traditional and tribal leaders from different tribes in Darfur, particularly the Rizeigat, Massalit, Ma’alia, Salamat and Ta’isha who have fought each other in different states.
The leaders of these tribes handed over a written commitment to President Bashir pledging to not resort to arms and to resolve their differences peacefully.
But the two main rebel groups did not take part despite assurances made by the government’s liaison committee that they would join the peace process.
In January, President Bashir launched a nationwide reconciliation and dialogue initiative to resolve the Sudanese crises, even inviting opposition and armed groups to join the talks. (Read: Bashir dangles transitional government carrot)
Opposition parties have so far boycotted the dialogue effort, demanding the government first stop the war in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan in addition to relaxing restrictions on the freedom of speech and political activities.
NMG
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