Sudanese FVP discusses Darfur crisis with Chadian president

March 19, 2007 (NDJAMENA) — The Sudanese First Vice-President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has started a visit to the Chadian capital where he discussed ways to end Darfur crisis with the Chadian President.

A meeting took place in the Chadian capital, Ndjamena, between the Chadian president, Idris Deby and the first vice-president Salva Kiir Mayardit. The meeting affirmed that the Darfur problem could not be resolved by arms, but by peaceful dialogue and talks.

The meeting was attended by Bakri Hassan Saleh, the minister of the affairs of the Presidency, and a number of Chadian officials.

The first vice-president also referred to the important role, which Chad, Libya and Eritrea were playing to give impetus to the efforts to resolve the Darfur problem.

Salava Kiir is expected to hold a meeting on Monday night with Darfur rebel leaders opposed to a peace agreement signed between Khartoum and a rebel faction headed by Minni Minawi in Abuja, Nigeria last year.

Kiir wants to encourage Darfur rebels to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the four-year crisis in the troubled western Sudan. Darfur crisis could undermine the run of general elections next year. Darfur rebels seem not very inclined to follow Salva Kiir. Many blame the SPLM of ignoring Darfur and distance themselves from the former southern ally.

(ST)