AU Peace and security body to discuss Darfur AU force future

Nov 3, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The African Union Peace and Security council is to meet at the presidents levels on the 24th of November in Brazzaville; to decide whether they will extend and enhance the current AU peacekeeping mission there at the end of their term which expires on the 31st of next December, 2006.

Presidential Adviser Majzoub Al Khalifa, Friday discussed with the Chairperson of AU Commission Alpha Omar Konare, the Sudanese government contacts with holdout rebels to resolve Darfur crisis and efforts to implement the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA).

A Sudanese official said the meeting was within the context of the continued consultations between the government of National unity and the African Union.

The AU Security Council had pointed out during its last meeting held in New York that consultations should continue between the African Union and the government of Sudan and the United Nations with the regards to the coming step and how the African Union mission in Darfur could be assisted.

The head of the AU Peace and Security Council, Said Djinnit, will visit Khartoum soon to complete the consultations initiated on provision of assistance to the African Union Mission in Darfur and that could be assisted.

(ST)