Sudan urges int’l community to pressurize Darfur rebels

Oct 24, 2005 (CAIRO) — A Sudanese official on Monday called on the international community to put pressure on armed movements in Sudan’s western region of Darfur to bring them back on the right track and ease suffering of inhabitants there.

Presidential media advisor Mahjub Fadl told the Cairo-based Voice of the Arabs from Khartoum that the sixth round of Abuja negotiations ended up with minimal gains and hopes are pinned on the next round.

Fadl praised a role played by the US administration in settling the Darfur crisis in terms of raising diplomatic representation in Sudan.

As for the swearing in of the south government on Monday, he said it is considered a positive and complementary step that will strengthen the national unity government.

He wished the south administration success in reaching national unity during the transitional period.

The Government of South Sudan was formed Saturday by Salva Kiir, also head of the former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement ( SPLM) and Sudanese first vice president.

The Sudanese government and rebel groups have held six rounds of negotiations in Abuja, Nigeria, to end a conflict which has left thousands dead and over 1 million displaced.

Renewed fighting in Darfur is undermining a ceasefire reached between the government and rebel groups in April 2004.

(Xinhua)