Darfur Peace talks – AU envoy, chief mediator continue consultations
AFRICAN UNION
7TH ROUND OF THE INTER-SUDANESE PEACE TALKS ON DARFUR
Nov 29, 2005 (ABUJA) — Pursuant to his efforts to create the best possible conditions for the commencement of the 7th Round of the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks on Darfur, whose opening ceremony has been scheduled for later today Tuesday 29 November 2005, in the Nigerian Capital City of Abuja, the African Union Special Envoy and Chief Mediator Dr Salim Ahmed Salim has continued to hold consultations with the Representatives of the Sudanese Movements, as well as the Chadian Co-mediators, Facilitators, International Partners including the UN, EU and the League of Arab States, and Observers participating in the present Round of Talks.
So far, Dr Salim has held several sessions with all the leaders of the delegations already present in Abuja, especially Mr Abdul Waheed Al-Nur and Mini Minawi Arko of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), with whom he met separately and examined ways and means to practicalise all the commitments made following the various initiatives, notably the recent meeting held in N’Djamena, Chad, on 24 – 26 November 2005, aimed at overcoming the divisions within the SLM/A leadership. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to approach the Abuja Talks with one common negotiating platform and vision, and to maintain the spirit of understanding and cooperation showed throughout the N’Djamena consultations.
The AU Special Envoy also exchanged views with the leadership of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) represented by Ahmed Tugod Lissan, JEM Chief Negotiator, on a range of issues relating to the current Round of Talks.
The delegation of the Government of the Sudan (GoS) is expected in Abuja later today.
This morning, Dr Salim further held discussions with the International Partners and reviewed with them the preparations for the launch of the 7th Round of the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks. He emphasized the need for them to pool their efforts to ensure the effective conduct of the Talks, thereby enabling the Mediation to achieve the desired results.
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Noureddine Mezni
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