Darfur talks resume after Christmas break – official

Dec 27, 2005 (LAGOS) — The African Union (AU)-mediated Sudanese peace talks on the Darfur crisis resumed Tuesday in Nigeria’s capital Abuja after Christmas break, AU spokesman told AFP.

Delegates to the talks observed a three-day recess which ended on Monday to enable them to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Noureddine Mezni said in an official statement which he read on telephone.

Three commissions which constitute the negotiation framework for the peace talks talks on the conflict in western Darfur region, resumed their deliberation on Tuesday, he said.

The commissions are those on security arrangement, wealth sharing and power sharing, he said.

The committee on wealth sharing will continue and finalise deliberations on some issues, including economic policies, reconstruction, investment, development and management of land and natural resources, he said.

The commision on power sharing which had earlier agreed to engage in informal negotiations between the Sudanese parties, will deliberate on federal system, level of governance and their competences, particularly on the issues relating Darfur and presidency, the statement said.

International observers and co-mediators are taking part in the talks, he said.

Deliberation will be pursued at plenary session when the need arises, he also said.

(AFP/ST)