Nigerian president, AU top mediator review Darfur talks progress

April 27, 2006 (ABUJA) — The African Union top mediator and the Nigerian president reviewed here latest development in Darfur peace talks.

President Olusegun Obasanjo and Salim reviewed developments in the Peace Talks in the aftermath of the submission of the “Draft Darfur Peace Agreement” to the Sudanese Parties at a Plenary Session of the Talks held on Tuesday 23 April, 2006.

Obasanjo expressed his full support for the measures taken by the AU Mediation to speed up the Peace Process.
Also, he reaffirmed his total engagement in all efforts aimed at ensuring that the Sudanese Parties adopt the Peace Agreement before the deadline of 30 April set by the AU Peace and Security Council.

In this regard, he once again expressed his preparedness to continue, in concert with other leaders within and outside the Continent, to engage the Parties and to ensure that the Peace Agreement will be fair and just, and will be a win-win situation for all the Parties.

Present during the audience were the Head of the AU Mediation Team Ambassador Sam B. Ibok and the Nigeria Facilitator, Ambassador Bariyu A. Adeyemi.

Talks between the belligerents have been taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, for nearly two years but with little success, while insecurity in Darfur has deteriorated.

(ST)