AU looks to Arab summit to push peace efforts in Darfur
Mar 28, 2006 (ABUJA) — The AU looks to the Arab Summit currently being held in Khartoum, to contribute to moving forward the Abuja negotiations aimed at restoring peace in Darfur.
The AU Spokesman called upon Arab States to come forward and participate in the post-conflict building, development, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Darfur, the Khartoum based Akhbaralyoum.
He underscored the fact that Darfur is in dire need for Arab initiatives and that the Khartoum Summit resolutions should take this into consideration, adding that such initiatives would help fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the citizens of Darfur.
Noureddine Mezni, the AU Mediation Spokesman, said that the Region of Darfur clearly represents a typical example to be emulated in future Afro-Arab Co-operation. The Sudan, he added, is seen as the connecting bridge, bringing the Arabs and Africans together.
He said that Darfur, in fact would remain the most glaring example of the embodiment of Afro-Arab solidarity, whom he said have a common destiny. In this regard, he said that Afro-Arab Co-operation had a wide spectrum which the Arab Summit could cover. The League of Arab States, he said, has continued to associate itself with the Abuja negotiations right from the onset.
The League of Arab States is one of the active International Partners helping to push the peace process forward.
He pointed out that there was constant co-ordination and cooperation between Amr Mussa, the Arab League Secretary General and Alpha Oumar Konarè, Chairperson of the AU Commission. Similarly, communication has also been maintained between the Arab League representative in Abuja and Salim Ahmed Salim, Special Envoy of the African Union (AU) and the Chief Mediator, in the search for a just and comprehensive peace in Darfur.
(ST)