African Union says Darfur talks delayed one week

Nov 18, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — Peace talks to end Sudan’s Darfur conflict which has killed tens of thousands will be delayed one week for logistical reasons, the African Union mediating the talks said on Thursday.

Observers said splits in the main rebel movements was the main reason for the delay as two leaders of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) now claim the presidency of the movement which took up arms in early 2003 accusing central government of monopolising power and wealth.

“The 7th round of the Abuja talks … is now rescheduled to November 28 instead of November 21 for logistical reasons,” the AU said in a statement.

Six previous rounds of talks in the Nigerian capital Abuja have made little headway because of rebel squabbles and escalating violence on the ground. U.N. and U.S. officials have said they are optimistic for a deal by the end of the year.

But Canada’s special envoy for peace in Sudan, Mobina Jaffer, said she was not optimistic about the talks after a rebel conference elected Minni Arcua Minnawi president to replace the incumbent Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur, a move not recognised by all factions in the group. Nur refused to attend the meeting.

“I’m very worried about the rebel splits,” she said during a visit to Darfur. “For the first time I’m pessimistic about Sudan,” she said. Jaffer has worked on Sudan for four years.

The AU gave no further details on the delay but said the head of mission in Sudan, Baba Gana Kingibe, would meet with Minnawi, who they described as a leader of a faction of the SLA. The AU said a senior U.S. State department official would also attend the meeting.

The United States called the Darfur violence genocide, a charge Khartoum denies. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes in the region.

(Reuters)