TEXT- AU mediators call for immediate cessation of hostilities in Darfur

Mar 18, 2006 (ABUJA) — The AU chief mediators for the Darfur peace talks, Salim Ahmed Salim, called for ?an immediate cessation of all hostilities in Sudan’s Darfur region, after a meeting with the heads of Sudanese delegations of the government and rebels movements.

Salim underlined the negative impact that the rise in tension and violence on the ground in Darfur, has had on the well-being of the people of Darfur generally and the Peace Talks in Abuja in particular.

He also, said that the security situation becomes unacceptable and high level of suffering experienced by the people of Darfur as a result of the frequent violations of the Ceasefire Agreement in April 2004.

On the other hand, Salim, on Thursday 16 March 2006, held a briefing session with the representatives of the International Partners. He reviewed of the current status of the Talks, including preparations for the proposed Darfur-Darfur Conference which the Mediation plans to discuss with the Parties next week.

He further stated that the Proposals for an Enhanced Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement recently presented to the Sudanese Parties had become absolutely necessary in view of the grave deteriorating humanitarian situation on the ground in Darfur.

The AU Special Envoy called for continued unity of purpose and collaboration between the Mediation and its International Partners, so as to make the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement possible within the next four weeks.

The International Partners in the talks are: – the EU, Britain, USA, Canada, France, the League of Arab States and UN, attended also by the representatives of the Chadian Co-Mediation and the Facilitators – Libya and Nigeria.

The Deputy Force Commander of the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) who also addressed the meeting, welcomed the draft Enhanced Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement proposed to the Parties as a means of removing the present obstacles and addressing the immediate security concerns in Darfur, adding that most of the inputs from him and members of his Team were incorporated into the draft.

The following is the text of the AU Press Statement:

7TH ROUND OF THE INTER-SUDANESE PEACE TALKS
ON THE CONFLICT IN DARFUR

Mar 17, 2006 (ABUJA) — The Steering Committee responsible for the political management of the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks on the conflict in Darfur, met yesterday 17 March, at the Chida International Hotel Abuja, venue of the Talks, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, AU Special Envoy and Chief Mediator.

In attendance were Leaders of the Parties attending the 7th Round of the Talks, Dr. Magzoub Al Khalifa, Leader of the Government of the Sudan (GoS) Delegation, Mr. Abdulwahid El Nour and Mr. Minni Minawi Arkou, Leaders of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM/A) and Dr. Ibrahim Khallil, President of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The meeting was also attended by representatives of the AU Mediation, Coordinators of the three Commissions, the Chadian Co-Mediation, the Facilitators from Nigeria and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, as well as the League of Arab States, representing the International Partners.

At the end of the meeting at which many critical decisions were taken on the Abuja peace process, the Steering Committee authorized the Chief Mediator to release the following important Decision:

STEERING COMMITTEE CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN DARFUR :

THE STEERING COMMITTEE:

CONSCIOUS of the negative impact that the rise in tension and violence on the ground in Darfur, has had on the well-being of the people of Darfur generally and the Peace Talks in Abuja in particular;

RECALLING the unacceptable and high level of suffering experienced by the people of Darfur as a result of the frequent violations of the Ceasefire Agreement and other Protocols signed;

COGNIZANT of the prerogative of creating a more conducive climate that will facilitate the speedy conclusion of a Comprehensive Agreement to end the conflict and bring about a new dispensation of peace and reconciliation for our people;

1. CALLS for an immediate cessation of all hostilities in Darfur, so as to provide further momentum for the peace process and in so doing, enhance confidence among our Negotiators, during this final and most crucial phase of the Talks;

2. APPEALS to all our Forces and Members, to implement this Decision and to extend the fullest cooperation to the Ceasefire Commission and AMIS, so that they can facilitate the realization of our peoples’ yearning for peace and security;

3. DECIDES to work in a serious and determined manner, towards the conclusion of the Negotiations in the next few weeks.

(ST)