Sudanese government delegation, armed rebel group sign joint communique

BBC Monitoring Middle East

By Sudanese TV

ABECHE, Nov. 04, 2003 — The government delegation and the SLM/A [Sudan Liberation Movement/Army] in Darfur [western Sudan] have signed a joint communique at the end of the second round of the Abeche talks. They will resume on the first week of next month.

The communique endorsed the continuity of a cease-fire and ending of all hostilities. It also renewed its trust in the tripartite committee [bringing together the Sudanese government, the Darfur rebels and Chadian authorities].

The two sides agreed to allow humanitarian organizations to provide aid to the vulnerable.

The government side hoped that the dossiers would be settled in the next round and peace and stability would prevail in Darfur.