Sudan’s Taha urges Darfur rebels to join peace deal

Dec 30, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese Second Vice-President urged today Darfur holdout rebel groups to join a fragile peace agreement reached in Nigeria in May 2006.

The vice-president, Ali Osman Taha, has urged the Darfur rebels groups which have not signed the Abuja Peace Agreement to sign the peace process so that the whole country can enjoy peace and sustainable development.

Taha said the occasion comes, at a time when the country is observing several celebrations such as the independence and peace days, for Darfur holdout groups to joint Darfur Peace Agreement.

He made this invitation during his address to the country on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Adha celebrations, in which he congratulated the nation on this occasion and prayed to God to give the country more blessings, security and stability.

Sudan has agreed officially in a protocol signed with the UN and the African Union in Addis Ababa on 16 November to open talks with the Darfur bon-signatories rebel groups on their demands to join Abuja deal.

(ST)