AU chief mediator, UN envoy exchange views on Darfur peace talks

April 1, 2006 (ABUJA) — The African Union Chief mediator for the Darfur peace talks, Salim Ahmed Salim, and the visiting UN special envoy to Sudan, Jan pronk exchanged views on the current situation in Darfur and on the status of the efforts being deployed within the context of the Abuja Peace Process to resolve the conflict in that area.

Salim underscored the determination of the AU Mediation to speed up the peace process in keeping with the Decision of the 46th Meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council held at Ministerial Level on 10 March, 2006, calling on the Sudanese Parties to conclude a peace agreement by the end of April, 2006.

Both Salim and Pronk stressed the importance of strengthening the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) to enable it to discharge its duties both presently and upon the conclusion of the expected Darfur Peace Agreement in Abuja, said Norredine Mezni

Tow groups of Darfur rebels negotiating in Abuja, the Justice and equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Minawi-faction expressed some discontent.

Khalil Ibrahim of JEM said in a press conference two days ago that the peace talks are futile and asked Khartoum to change the current chief negotiator of governmental delegation.

While SLM expressed opposition to the draft of the Enhanced Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement (EHCA) because it fixes the movement of rebels troops.

Negotiations to resolve the Darfur conflict, which has forced more than two million from their homes and killed tens of thousands, revolve around how to share political power, economic resources and deal with the region’s militias.

(ST)