Darfur mediator to visit Sudan for peace talks preparation

Nov 26, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The African Union top mediator for Darfur peace talks is due in Khartoum tomorrow in the latest bid to relaunch peace efforts in Sudan’s war-torn western region, where the pan-African body has thousands of troops deployed.

The African Union special envoy for Darfur and Chief Mediator, Salim Ahmed Salim, is due in Khartoum Monday in the framework of the efforts being exerted by the African Union to mobilize support and expanding base of Abuja peace agreement and its implementation.

The spokesman of the African Union, Noureddine Mezni, said that the African Union has decided to coordinate the various initiatives to convince the parties that did not sign Abuja peace agreement to join the peace process, the state-run SUNA reported.

Salim will meet a number of government officials and representatives of the movements and the international partners. Salim is to be accompanied by the chairman of the preparatory committee of Darfur-Darfur Dialogue Conference (DDDC), Abdul Mohamed.

The visit also aims to consult and coordinate efforts for the summit of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union on Darfur, which is scheduled to be held in Abuja on November 29.

(ST)