Darfur committee urges Sudanese parties to prepare for Abuja talks

Text of report by Sudanese TV, BBC Monitoring Middle East.

Aug 28, 2005 (Khartoum) — During its meeting with the vice-president, Ali Uthman Muhammad Taha, the high committee for Darfur affirmed the country’s commitment and willingness to bring comprehensive peace in the country this year through different processes.

The committee discussed a report presented by the leader of the negotiating government delegation, regarding the results of the preparatory meetings which were held between the government and the Darfur rebels in Tanzania under the auspices of the AU chief mediator, Salim Ahmad Salim.

The [meeting] urged parties that it was necessary to prepare for the forthcoming Abuja talks that will take place on 25 September, considering it a decisive one.

The committee also familiarized themselves with field reports and affirmed the need to continue with humanitarian support programmes and reinforcing the cease-fire.

It urged the AU monitoring committee to take into consideration the recent violations that took place and led to the looting of properties belonging to a number of civilians.

The committee was also briefed about the ongoing preparations for Mr Salim Ahmed Salim’s visit on 30 August. It also affirmed the importance of this visit and its positive impact in pushing the talks towards solving the Darfur issue.