AU deputy envoy, US official discuss Darfur peace process

ALFASHER (June 14, 2007 ) — The Senior Adviser to the U.S. Special Envoy, Ms. Sharon Morris during a visit to AU headquarters in the capital of North Darfur discussed the peace process with the African Mission in Sudan Deputy Head of Mission in Al-Fasher Ambassador Hassan Gibril.

Ambassador Gibril explained how the primary focus of AMIS and its partners was to revitalize the peace process and unify the non-signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement, an AUMIS statement said.

He also expressed his optimism about a resolution to the Darfur conflict noting that all factions had articulated a desire for a general ceasefire.

Gibril was particularly keen to highlight the plight of ordinary Darfurians and the need to broaden the base of a potential negotiated solution by including those groups who were excluded from the Abuja negotiations such as Civil Society, Tribal and Community Leaders, women’s groups and the youth.

The US official visited Darfur on June 12, 2007.

Earlier in the week AU official had also received the newly appointed British envoy to Sudan Rosalind Marsden. During the meeting he briefed Marsden on the general situation in Darfur and emphasized the necessity to assist the Movements to reach a consensus on a joint position towards the developing political process and any future negotiations.

(ST)