The Justice and Equality Movement's self-described "road map for peace in Darfur" demonstrates at once the potential for great progress and great failures. JEM's recognition of the need to 'transcend' the DPA is crucially important. The JEM also points out the "necessity of reaching an agreement that deals with the root-causes of the problem and fully addresses the issue of power and wealth sharing," and that is essential to a successful peace agreement. The acknowledgement of the need for "wide consultations" with all the people of Darfur is extremely significant, but it is not enough.

"Wide consultation" regarding what Darfur's people need is just the beginning: what is also required is (as the International Crisis Group's report on "Revitalising the [Darfur] Peace Process" of April 2007 states) a "reference group of constituencies not part of past negotiations, including representatives of Arab tribes, IDPs [internally displaced persons], women's groups, and civil society," and constant, open contact with these groups must be maintained in order to come to any sort of agreement which would last successfully.

Further, although the JEM and SLM are internationally recognized, the two groups cannot be the only representatives of the people of Darfur. Indeed, the SLM cannot even be said to represent one group, as it has become so splintered since the signing of the DPA in May 2006. Again from the ICG report, "Greater inclusivity [of all Darfur's people]would translate into more buy-in and easier implementation". One negotiating position does not necessarily need to be achieved before serious talks begin, although it is necessary "at least to consolidate into recognizable blocs, with coherent leadership and political positions". In order for this sort of political and social cohesion to be possible, field commanders of different groups must unite and allow such cohesion to occur (ICG).

None of these things are possible if the JEM feels that it is "forced to resume negotiations on unilateral bases" (JEM). Certainly, it would be good if the SLM would "unify itself", but in the event that this does not occur in 45 days, the JEM must not try to negotiate unilaterally. The DPA has failed because it was not representative of the entire people of Darfur: any unilateral agreement would be doomed to similar, catastrophic failure. Not only would a unilateral agreement fail to protect Darfur, but it would give the international community at large yet another excuse to claim that the dire situation of Darfur is improving, when in fact the lives of thousands upon thousands are at excruciatingly high risk of being lost foerever.

http://www.sudanjem.com/en/index.php
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4769