Sudan, AU affirm Darfur should remain African Union file

Feb 16, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — President Omer Al-Bashir and Chairman of the African Union Commission Alpha Omer Konari affirmed in a meeting held e here Wednesday evening the necessity that the initiative of resolving Darfur issue remains African initiative.

In a press statement to the state-run SUNA at the end of the meeting, Foreign Minister Lam Akol said that the meeting reviewed situation in Darfur and the steps required on the ground as well as the Abuja peace negotiations.

He added the meeting also tackled issues pertinent to African troops in Darfur, pointing out it was agreed that the initiative remains African so as to find solution to the problem as quickly as possible.

Konari said that the meeting underlined the importance of speeding up progress of Abuja peace negotiations and that the initiative on all African issues, especially Darfur, should remain at the hands of the African Union.

He added that he reviewed with President Al-Bashir some hurdles impeding progress of peace in Darfur and ways of removing them.

(ST)