Darfur envoys say a rebel group agree to take part in peace talks

January 15, 2007 (EL-FASHIR) — Darfur envoys from the United Nations and the African Union today said that one of the rebel groups that had boycott Libya talks agreed to participate in the peace process.

Jan Eliassion and Salam Ahmed Salim told the press in the capital of northern Darfur that they met today with the leadership of Sudan Liberation Movement, Unity faction. According to Salim the rebel group expressed readiness to participate in peace talks with Sudanese government to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

The SLM-Unity on October 23, demanded the postponement of Sirte talks in order to give rebel groups more time to allow realise reunification talks they had started with other rebel groups in Juba. Since, the group failed to sign a unity deal with Juba groups who designated Ahmed Abdelshafi as chairman.

Salim further said they are ready to meet any non-signatory group who is willing to receive them. Also, he said no date scheduled for the peace talks affirming that dialogue with rebel group will contribute to make it very soon.

Eliasson indicated they would stay in El-Fashir for three days to meet the leaders of other rebel groups without elaborating. During his last visit to Darfur in December the UN envoy had, failed due to security reasons, to meet the leader of Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Khalil Ibrahim.

JEM sources said Khalil had informed Eliasson that he wants to sign a protocol with the mediation on the agendas of the talks and who will participate in the negotiations.

While SLM founder, Abdelwahid al-Nur, rejects any peace process before the deployment of the international troops in Darfur and the protection of Darfur civilians.

(ST)