The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is a largely Islamist Sudanese armed opposition group seeking national reform and regime change within Sudan.[2] Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Muhammed, while completing his master’s degree in public health in the Netherlands in 2001, declared the founding of JEM following the dissolution of the national assembly and the declaration of a state of emergency by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. In the state of emergency, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir purged the followers of rival politician Hassan al-Turabi from government. The majority of the founding members were former members of the Popular Congress Party (PCP) (also known as Islamist Popular Congress) of al-Turabi, a spearhead of Sudan’s Islamic revolution.[3] African Muslims from Darfur who were forced to leave also went on to join the newly formed JEM.[4]

JEM leaders call for the creation of a new country named the United Regions of Sudan. This proposed new nation would entail a rotating presidency, granting all six Sudanese regions a term in power.[5] Khalil Ibrahim remained leader until his death in 2011.[6] Following Khalil Ibrahim’s death, the group was led by his brother Jibril Ibrahim and a new 18-member JEM executive office.[7]

In 2008, JEM gained national recognition after launching an attack on Khartoum.[8] Prior to a mid-2010 government offensive that led to significant casualties, JEM was estimated to have more than 5,000 men. JEM soldiers were armed with mounted anti-aircraft guns, rocket-propelled grenades, several hundred vehicles and at least two tanks.[9] View full narrative