IGAD COMMUNIQUÉ ON REBEL ATTACK ON KHARTOUM

IGAD Secretariat has learned with dismay the attack that took place on 10 May 2008 on Khartoum perpetrated by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

IGAD condemns in the strongest terms this heinous act aimed at creating chaos and bloodshed through indiscriminate attack on civilian populations. IGAD believes that the attack carried out on the capital city of Sudan is aimed at undermining the on going peace effort and should therefore be unequivocally condemned. The international community should send a clear message to the perpetrators while encouraging both the Government of Sudan and the opposition to continue to pursue the path of peaceful dialogue.  The Justice and Equality Movement like all other opposition groups in Darfur should heed to the call of the international community to find a political solution to the problem in Darfur.

IGAD fully supports and commits to work closely together with the Commission of the African Union to bring the parties to the conflicts together to carry out a sustained dialogue aimed at achieving peace and reconciliation in Darfur