EU calls for final agreement in Darfur

May 4, 2006 (VIENNA) — The Austrian presidency of the European Union on Thursday said it acknowledged the progress made between the African Union and Sudanese rebels in finding a peaceful resolution to the war in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region but urged all sides to reach a long-term solution.

In a statement, the EU called upon the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement to come to a “definitive agreement” with the Sudanese government, adding that if no such agreement is reached, it would be “irresponsible considering the enormous human suffering of the population in Darfur”.

Sudanese rebels earlier on Thursday endorsed a new proposal drafted by the United States and Britain to help end the war in the troubled Darfur region, saying it meets their key demands and could set the stage for a peace accord. Rebels had over the weekend rejected an initial peace proposal drafted by African Union mediators who have been working with the sides for two years.

The EU condemned all attacks on civilians and humanitarian aid organizations. It also urged the Sudanese government, as well as the rebel groups, to take “all necessary measures” to respect the weapons cease-fire.

Decades of low-level tribal clashes over land and water in Darfur erupted into large-scale violence in early 2003 with rebels demanding regional autonomy. The central government is accused of responding by unleashing Janjaweed militias upon civilians, a charge Sudan denies.

(ST/AP)