AU says determined to play its “basic role” for Darfur peace

Feb 25, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The African Union (AU) reiterated here Sunday its determination to play its “basic role” in realizing the peace in Sudan’s war-torn region of Darfur.

Visiting AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Said Djinnit, who arrived here earlier in the day, made the remarks to reporters after meeting with Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir.

Djinnit told the reporters that the pan-African body “remains the leading party” in the peace process in Darfur and it is necessary for the AU, the United Nations and the Sudanese government to work together to achieve the Darfur peace.

He urged Khartoum to support the peace efforts currently exerted by AU envoy Salim Ahmed Salim and UN envoy Jan Eliasson, who jointly paid a visit to Sudan last week on ways to resolve the Darfur crisis.

Djinnit also stressed the importance of establishing a new framework of transparency and cooperation between the Sudanese government and the AU and the UN to implement their agreements, especially those concerning the UN support for the AU peacekeeping force in Darfur.

Sudanese Presidential Adviser Majzoub al-Khalifa, on his part, promised that the government would cooperate with the AU and the UN in realizing the Darfur peace.

“The present atmosphere is the one of dialogue and understanding and we are encouraging it and hoping that the three parties will work together for the peace process,” the Sudanese official said.

(Xinhua)