Sudan urges Darfur rebels to resume peace talks

KHARTOUM, May 5, 2005 (Xinhua) — The Sudanese government called on rebels in western Darfur region on Thursday to overcome past bitterness and resume peace talks, official Sudan News Agency reported.

Sudanese First Vice President Ali Othman Mohammed Taha urged Darfur rebel groups to “let bygones be bygones” and look forward to the future, adding “only through wisdom and dialogue can we get over the bitterness.”

Taha made the appeal at a conference held Thursday in el-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state.

The Sudanese government is serious to resume peace talks with the Darfur rebels in the Nigerian capital Abuja for the sake of security and stability in Sudan, Taha said.

The conference, gathering tribal leaders and Sudanese officials, focused on strengthening tribal reconciliation and brotherhood.

US charge d’affaires, French ambassador and the African Union’s representatives also attended the conference, which Taha said was a real chance for them to know the Sudanese traditions and customs in achieving reconciliation.

Thousands have been killed and over one million displaced in arid Darfur since rebels took up arms more than two years ago, accusing the central government of neglect.

The UN Security Council has imposed travel ban and a an asset freeze on war crime suspects in Darfur and called for them to be tried at the International Criminal Court in the Hague, a demand rejected by Khartoum.