France, Sudan discuss Darfur peace and Chad
March 28, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — France’s special envoy for Darfur briefed today Sudan’s top negotiator for Darfur peace talks on efforts exerted by Paris to bring a comprehensive settlement in the troubled region. He also discussed ways to mend relations between Khartoum and N’Djamena.
Issa Maraut informed the Sudanese presidential assistant, Nafi Ali Nafi on France’s efforts relaunch Darfur peace process including the organisation of a meeting in Geneva early this month between a Darfur rebel leader and the UN Security Permanent members and the UN and AU envoy to Darfur.
In a press statement last week, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that Geneva meeting with historic SLM leader Abdel-wahid al-Nur was part of Paris commitment for a solution to the Darfur crisis and to address its regional dimension.
The French diplomat who speaks Arabic fluently is known by the Sudanese officials because he had worked in Khartoum for several years.
The visiting envoy further tackled with the presidential assistant ways to improve bilateral relations between Sudan and Chad.
Nafi told the press following the meeting that they exchanged point of view on how to implement Dakar Agreement. He also pointed out that different propositions were made from the two parties but he didn’t elaborate.
The presidential assistant further said he discussed France’s role to settle peace in the region.
“We discussed with the French envoy the role of his country to bring peace in the region because France has strong ties with Chad which is one of the main obstacles to realise peace in Darfur.” Nafi said.
He further added that mending relations with Chad is useful to push peace process in Darfur. He expressed hope that Paris plays a positive role in this regard.
France, Chad’s former colonial ruler and long-term ally has played a decisive role to rescue President Idriss Deby when Sudan backed rebels attempted to topple him last February.
Nafi stressed Sudan’s commitment to all agreements concluded with Chad, including the recent Dakar Agreement, pointing to the continued support of N’Djamena to the rebel movements in Darfur.
He further added “We do not see a serious move from Chad.”
(ST)