Peace envoys, JEM leader discuss ways to stop Darfur violence

April 19, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations and African Union envoys for Darfur met yesterday with the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement to discuss the need to clear violence in Darfur before to engage peace process.

The two envoys dedicated their fifth visit to Sudan to for talks about violence in Darfur telling the warrant parties they cannot fight and prepare for peace talks at the same time. They also stressed that a reduction in violence is vital if progress is to be made on the political front.

Jan Eliasson of the UN and Salim Ahmed Salim of the AU met with Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), in a rebel-controlled area of West Darfur on Friday.

The envoys said discussed with Ibrahim the primacy of the political process and the urgent need to cut the level of violence, better protect civilians and ensure greater humanitarian access during the talks with the two groups.

During a press conference held in Khartoum on Saturday the two envoys said the warrant parties in Darfur accepted to work for the end of violence in Darfur and to hold direct or indirect talks over military arrangements.

Clashes between the Sudanese army and the powerful JEM intensified since last December.

(ST)