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The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is a rebel group involved in the Darfur conflict of Sudan, led by Khalil Ibrahim.[1] Along with other rebel groups, such as the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), they are fighting against the Sudanese Government, including the government's proxy militia, the Janjaweed. The JEM is also a member of the Eastern Front, a rebel coalition formerly active in the east of Sudan along the Eritrean border. After the Eastern Front signed a peace deal with the central government, the JEM lost access to its funding from Eritrea.
The beginnings of the Justice and Equality Movement trace to the writers of the Black Book, a manuscript published in 2000 that details the structural inequality in the country; the JEM leader, Khalil Ibrahim, was one of the authors.[1] The JEM embraces an Islamist ideology,[2] and although the Sudanese government links the group directly to Hassan al-Turabi, leaders of the group and al-Turabi himself deny that claim.[3] al-Turabi blames the government for "aggravating the situation,"[3] and many of the followers of al-Turabi joined the JEM.[1]
On January 20, 2006, the Justice and Equality Movement declared a merger with the Sudan Liberation Movement, along with other rebel groups, to form the Alliance of Revolutionary Forces of West Sudan;[4] however, the JEM and SLM negotiated as separate groups with peace talks with the government in May 2006.[citation needed]
In October 2007, the JEM attacked the Defra oilfield in the Kordofan region of Sudan. The Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, a Chinese-led consortium, controls the field. The next month, a group of 135 Chinese engineers arrived in Darfur to work on the Defra field. Ibrahim told reporters, "We oppose them coming because the Chinese are not interested in human rights. It is just interested in Sudan's resources." The JEM claims that the revenue from oil sold to China funds the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed militia.[5]
On the morning of December 11, 2007, Khalil Ibrahim claimed that JEM forces fought and defeated Sudanese government troops guarding a Chinese-run oilfield in the Kordofan region. Khartoum officials, however, denied that any oil fields had come under attack. Ibrahim said that the attack was part of a JEM campaign to rid Sudan of Chinese-run oilfields and stated that "[The JEM] want all Chinese companies to leave. They have been warned many times. They should not be there."[6]
On May 11, 2008 JEM attacked the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. The government declared victory, saying that the attack had been repelled and leading members of the group had been killed, although the JEM said that the attack was successful. Eltahir Elfaki, the General Secretary of JEM's legislative council, vowed that the war would henceforth be fought across the country, saying that "We haven't changed our tactics. From the beginning, Jem is a national movement and it has a national agenda."[7] Khalil Ibrahim declared that "This is just the start of a process and the end is the termination of this regime".[8].
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is a rebel group involved in the Darfur conflict of Sudan. It is led by Khalil Ibrahim. Together with other rebel groups such as the Sudan Liberation Army, they are fighting against the government-supported Janjaweed militia. The JEM is also a member of the Eastern Front, a rebel coalition. After the Eastern Front signed a peace deal with the central government, the JEM lost access to its funding from Eritrea.
The JEM traces its foundation to the writers of the Black Book, a manuscript published in 2000 that shows some problems. JEM has an Islamist ideology, and the government links the group to Hassan al-Turabi, although leaders of the group and Turabi himself deny the claim.[1] However, al-Turabi blames the government for making the situation worse".
On January 20, 2006, the group merged with the Sudan Liberation Movement, along with other rebel groups, to form the Alliance of Revolutionary Forces of West Sudan. However, the JEM and SLM negotiated as separate groups with peace talks with the government in May 2006.
In October of 2007, the JEM attacked an oilfield in the Kordofan region of Sudan. This olified is controlled by a Chinese consortium. The next month, a group of 135 Chinese engineers arrived in Darfur to work on this field. Ibrahim told reporters, "We oppose them coming because the Chinese are not interested in human rights. It is just interested in Sudan's resources." The JEM claims that the revenue from oil sold to China funds the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed militia.[2]
On the morning of December 11th, 2007, Khalil Ibrahim claimed that JEM forces fought and defeated Sudanese government troops guarding a Chinese-run oilfield in the Kordofan region. Khartoum officials, however, denied that any oil fields had come under attack. Ibrahim said that the attack was part of a JEM campaign to rid Sudan of Chinese-run oilfields and stated that "[The JEM] want all Chinese companies to leave. They have been warned many times. They should not be there."[3]
   | Darfur conflict - Darfur Liberation Front / Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) / Sudan Liberation Army |
| | Al-Turabi denies stirring Darfur conflict - Al Jazeera English - AJE |
| | Darfur rebels spurn Chinese force - BBC NEWS | Africa | Darfur rebels spurn Chinese force |
| | Sudan rebels 'attack oilfield' - Al Jazeera English - AJE |
| | Fears for Sudan Islamist's health - BBC NEWS | Africa | Fears for Sudan Islamist's health |
| | Q&A: Sudan's Darfur conflict - BBC NEWS | Africa | Q&A: Sudan's Darfur conflict |
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