Sudanese president, UN envoy meet in Khartoum over Darfur

KHARTOUM, July 30, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The President of the Republic Omar al-Bashir was briefed by the special representative of the UN secretary-general to Sudan, Jan Pronk, on the outcome of his recent visit to New York, as well as the report he presented to the UN Security Council on the latest developments on the peace process and the progress of the situation in Darfur.

They also discussed Pronk’s visit to Abyei region and his meetings with the region’s residents.

During the meeting today, at the Republican Palace, the president of the republic told Jan Pronk about the importance of sending positive signals to the international organization regarding the situation in Darfur, as well as sending the right signals to the rebels who continue to violate the cease-fire agreement and loot civilian’s property.

President Al-Bashir appreciated the efforts Pronk was exerting to bring about peace in Sudan and the key role he was playing to strengthen Sudan’s ties with different UN organs.

Speaking to Sudan News Agency (SUNA), Pronk said that he told the president of the desires of both the Al-Masiriya and Denka tribes in the Abyei region to sit together under his chairmanship to discuss their differences over communal boundaries in the region.

He went on to say that he was returning to Abyei region next week to hold the meeting with the two sides.

He said that during the meeting they also discussed the special arrangements to hold the next round of peace talks between the government and Darfur rebels in Abuja on 28 August, as well as the topics which were to be discussed during the talks.