Japan supports Darfuris consultations

February 2, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Japanese government finances a series of consultations among Darfuris in order to encourage dialogue between the different political and tribal forces.

In a press statement released on 29 January, the Japanese embassy in Khartoum said that Japan is supporting financially a series of consultations among Darfuris through the African Union.

The first consultation has started in Cambridge, U.K, on 28th January, 2008, which will be followed by other consultations in North America and Middle East, in addition to Sudan.

“Japan strongly expects that Darfuris would reach, through series of consultations, a common ground, apart from their tribal and political affiliations. Japan also expects that these consultations would be positively reflected into the peace process led by the UN and AU Special Envoys and thus would make it further inclusive;” said the statement.

The Japanese government supports different development projects in southern Sudan and Darfur besides its humanitarian commitment to the Sudanese displaced through the WFP. Tokyo also supports the hybrid peacekeepers that take over from the African Union missions forces.

(ST)