AU Chairperson appoints Salim as Special Envoy to Sudan’s Darfur

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 27, 2005 (ENA) — Chairperson of African Union Commission (AU), Alpha Oumar Konare announced the appointment of Former Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Salim Ahmad Salim as AU Special Envoy for the Political Talks on Darfur on Thursday.

The Inter-Sudanese Political Talks on Darfur are scheduled to resume on June 10, 2005, according to a press release AU sent to ENA.

Salims commitment to promote peace and security in Africa and his reach political and diplomatic experiences will contribute to the peaceful end of the conflict in Darfur, it said.

Salim will be supported by the Mediation Team from the Commission and the Chadian Co-mediation, the release said, adding he will also closely work with African facilitators as well as international observers and partners.

The strengthening of the AU Mediation Delegation to the Talks comes following the concerted efforts for the enhancement and consolidation of the role and capacity of the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) which was said improve the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur.