Sudanese government’s delegation back from Abuja

KHARTOUM, July 6, 2005 (Xinhua) — The Sudanese government’s delegation for peace talks with Darfur rebel groups returned home from Abuja, Nigeria, Wednesday after signing a declaration of principles with the rebels.

Officials of the Sudanese government wait for resumption of talks with rebel leaders 10 June 2005, during a summit on Darfur crisis in Abuja. (AFP).

Head of the delegation Majzoub al-Khalifa Ahmed told reporters that the talks were difficult, because the Sudanese government held talks with more than one party simultaneously.

He appreciated efforts exerted by the African Union (AU), the European Union, the Arab League and some states to make the fifth round of Abuja talks a success.

Khalifa said that the deal comprises eight general points on national unity and return of Darfur displaced people and refugees as well as reconciliation among tribes in the region.

He said that the deal is a constructive basis for continuing the peace process in the war-torn region.

On Tuesday, the Sudanese government and two Darfur rebel groups ended their fifth round of talks in Abuja with a broad agreement on the troubled north African nation’s unity and “justice and equality for all.”

A document released at the end of the talks stressed “an effective devolution of powers” to regional authorities which mediators said would be further discussed in talks scheduled for next month.

“Broad security arrangements to consolidate the restoration of peace shall be addressed in the context of a comprehensive agreement,” according to the document.

Violence flared up in the Sudanese western region of Darfur in February 2003, and thousands of people have been reportedly killed and many more displaced since then.

The Sudanese government insists that the Darfur conflict be resolved within the AU framework.

The AU maintains about 2,300 troops in Darfur and is scheduled to expand its peacekeeping forces to 7,700 troops by September. It also sponsors rounds of peace talks between the Sudanese government and rebel groups.