Sudan says no concessions but discussion on modalities of implementation

May 4, 2006 (ABUJA) — Sudanese government delegation at Abuja talks denied it had agreed to modify the proposed AU Darfur Peace Agreement. It further indicated that all the last-gasp diplomatic efforts are to find the better way to implement the AU plan.

Unidentified delegate at the peace talks venue told the official SUNA that the current consultations are about how to implement the military arrangements which are not detailed in African Union proposed peace deal.

Then, the US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick and the other mediators are trying to shape points that help to implement the agreement.

The Sudanese official further said AU and international mediators back the proposed agreement.

Meanwhile, the host of the talks, Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo, AU Chairman Denis Sassou-Nguessou and AU Commission President Alpha Oumar Konare will hold a meeting tonight with the warring parties to find a last minute compromise.

The Sudanese government had approved its own copy of the AU peace agreement and sent it back to mediators, but it had not been formally signed.

(ST)