Sudan rejects AU decision to delay Darfur talks

KHARTOUM, Aug 12, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudanese government chief negociator to the Abuja talks Majzoub al-Khalifah, has said the government rejected the AU’s decision to postpone the Abuja talks between the government and the Darfur rebels, which were scheduled to resume on 24 August.

According to the Sudanese newspaper Al-Sahafah Al-Khalifa Said yesterday that the postponement of the talks had given rise to doubts about rebels’ commitment to the talks and was hindering the peace process in Sudan, pointing out that the government was determined to achieve peace in Darfur and eastern Sudan.

He further added that the government stance was in agreement with the international community, the USA and the EU.

He urged the AU to stick to the set date and speed up the talks for the sake of ending the conflict in Darfur.