Darfur Rebels Condemn AU for Backing Bashir

Sudan’s rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has condemned the African Union’s recent call for the deferment of genocide charges against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Accusing the AU of bias, JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim said Tuesday that his rebel group would no longer recognize AU efforts to mediate a peace process in Darfur. Other Darfur rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army and the Army of the Democratic Popular Front, also condemned the AU’s call on the UN Security Council to postpone the International Criminal Court’s decision to arrest President Bashir and try him for genocide against ethnic groups in Darfur. [PE]