Darfur Mediators extend deadline for more 24 h, AU Nguesso to Abuja
May 2, 2006 (ABUJA) — The African Union’s mediation at the Abuja negotiations on Darfur has given the parties 24 hours more, while the Chairman of African Union and the head of AU executive are heading to Abuja.
According to the official SUNA, the AU mediation extended the deadline of Darfur peace talks for more 24 hours to give regional and international efforts more time to consult the Sudanese parties in the negotiations.
While, US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick arrived in Abuja Tuesday, SUNA reported that President of Congo and Chairman of the African Union Denis Sassou-Nguesso and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Alpha Omer Konare are due in Abuja Tuesday as part of the African concern with the negotiations.
Zoellick immediately entered in intensive meetings with the African mediation and the parties to the negotiations. The US official is expected to meet the chairman of the government side in the negotiations, Dr. Magzoub Al-Khalifa, Tuesday.
Official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the American concern and the arrival of the US Deputy Secretary of State in Abuja affirms the concern of the international community to find a speedy solution to Darfur problem and convince the armed movements to accept the African agreement document.
(ST)