African Union Mediation regrets Slovenian initiative on Darfur
Feb 27, 2006 (ABUJA) — African Union regretted that the Slovenian president launched a peace initiative on Dafur without any consultations with the AU mediation; the ambassador Sam Ibok said yesterday when he received the personal envoy of the Slovenian president.
The Personal Envoy and Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the Republic of Slovenia Ambassador Ivo Vajgl, was yesterday, Sunday 26 February 2006, received in audience by the AU Mediation Team led by Sam Ibok.
Vajgl briefed the AU Mediation on the different actions undertaken by President, Janez Drnovšek to mobilize national and international humanitarian assistance and solidarity for Darfur, adding that Slovenia was also looking forward, through this initiative, to contributing to the political process.
The Head of the AU Mediation Team pointing out that the African Union had so far not received any official information regarding the contents of the Slovenian initiative, said the AMIS spokesperson Noureddine Mezni in a press statement.
He emphasized that any political initiative outside the ongoing Abuja Process would, “at this point in time, only serve the purpose of distracting the Parties and diverting their attention away from the critical issues that are the subject of substantive negotiations in this final phase of the Peace Talks, when the AU is striving to build bridges and forge consensus between the Parties”.
Ibok further stressed that the Abuja Talks represent a genuine international partnership with the full and unhindered involvement of international partners, including the UN, EU, the League of Arab States, the US, UK, Canada and others.
He appealed to the Government of Slovenia and other international partners to refrain from encouraging the Parties in Abuja to engage in “Forum Shopping”, and stressed the need to avoid sending mixed and often confusing signals to the Sudanese Parties negotiating in Abuja.
The meeting did not discuss the contents of the initiative and the proposed Peace Agreement by the Slovenian President. On the contrary, the Mediation welcomed any initiative to enhance the flow of humanitarian assistance to those in need in Darfur, as indicated by the Envoy.
The Slovenian Envoy recognized the leading role of the African Union in the Darfur Peace Talks and took note of the progress so far achieved.
The Slovenian initiative, outlined by Drnovsek in early February, includes a political solution similar to the one used to resolve southern Sudan conflict one years ago.
The plan also includes provisions for ensuring security and special provisions that deal with the involvement of the international community in the peace process.
(ST)