Sudan’s Darfur talks adopt 5-point agenda on security
Dec 24, 2005 (LAGOS) — The Sudanese government and rebel groups in the country’s western region of Darfur have agreed a five point agenda for discussions on the thorny issue of security, a statement issued by the talks’ broker, the African Union (AU), said on Saturday.
“The commission on ceasefire and security, one of the three negotiating frameworks for the inter-Sudanese peace talks on the conflict in Darfur, has adopted a five point agenda for discussions in the plenary session held Friday” in the Nigerian capital Abuja, the statement said.
“The agenda includes the general principles, security arrangements for an enhanced humanitarian ceasefire, comprehensive ceasefire and final security arrangements, social reintegration, and time line for implementation,” it said.
The AU special envoy and chief mediator Salim Ahmed Salim “expressed delight at the important achievement of the commission by adopting the five points agenda and implored the parties to place the interest of the people above all other considerations,” said the statement.
“This is just the beginning of serious talks between the parties,” he was quoted in the statement as saying, emphasizing that negotiations are always difficult but the will of the parties to achieve peace should prevail.
“We want this session to make substantive achievement, as in my opinion this is feasible,” he stated.
Meanwhile, “the parties (government and rebel groups) on their part reiterated their commitment to the agreements and protocols already signed and expressed their readiness to forge ahead and find a lasting solution to the deplorable situation in Darfur,” the statement said.
The seventh round of Darfur talks opened in Abuja on November 29, after the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), the bigger of the two main rebel groups in Darfur, overcame leadership divisions.
The SLM and the smaller Justice and Equality Movement took up arms in Darfur in February 2003, accusing the government of negligence. Many people have been killed in the conflict and more displaced.
(Xinhua)