Contacts are going on to convince Darfur holdout rebels – AU
Oct 15, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — An African Union official confirmed reports that Sudanese, African and international efforts to persuade the Darfur holdout rebels groups to the Darfur Peace Agreement.
Head of the African Union team for implementation of Darfur peace agreement (DPA), Ambassador Sam Ibok, said that there is Sudanese efforts led by the First Vice-President and President of South Sudan Government, Salva Kiir, and the Senior Assistant of the President of the Republic and Chairman of the Interim Authority in Darfur, Minni Minawi, to convince Darfur rebel groups opposed to Abuja peace deal to sign the agreement.
Also, he indicated that the African Union, the international community and the European Union have conducted contacts with the holdout rebels to persuade them to join the peace process in Sudan.
Four factions of the rebel Sudan Liberation Army led by Ahmed Abdelshafi Bassey, Abedlwhaid Al-Nur, Khamis Abdalla Abakr and dissident group from Minni Minawi besides, the Justice and Equality Movement of Khalil Ibrahim and the Sudan Federal Democratic Alliance (SFDA) of Ahmed Ibrahim Diraig are rejecting the Darfur Peace Agreement signed on 5 May between the Sudanese government and the SLM Minni Minawi.
The holdout groups demands more political representation of the national level, to consider Darfur as one region, individual compensations for Darfur displaced and refugees. Last week Ibok announced that Khartoum is poised to accept the individual compensations.
The African official said that the implementation of the peace agreement is progressing slowly, but efforts are being exerted for foundation of the commissions, the Interim Authority of Darfur region, solution of the Janjaweed disarmament, holding the Darfurian – Darfurian dialogue, appointment of observers for implementation of Darfur peace agreement.
Ambassador Ibok said that the African Union, the international community, the European Union and the government are extending assistance and facilities for convocation of the Darurian – Darurian dialogue conference.
(ST)