Darfur mediator urges end to hostilities before peace talks

August 28, 2008 (EL-FASHER) — The new mediator for Darfur peace talks has begun his work there with an appeal for an end to hostilities saying no negotiations could take place in a climate of tension and mistrust.

Djibril Yipene Bassole, the former foreign minister of Burkina Faso, arrived in North Darfur Thursday to start his full-time mission. The previous envoys, Jan Eliasson of the U.N. and Salim Ahmed Salim of the AU, left their posts without legacy or sympathy. All the parties criticized their approach.

Bassole called upon the parties involved in the five year conflict to halt all sort of hostilities in order to create conducive environment for political dialogue. He also asserted that the warring parties in the conflict-wracked region want peace.

“We have to put mechanisms in place that will not only allow a sustained cease fire, but will also help avoid reoccurrence of violent incidents,” he added with some optimism.

During a meeting with Idris Abdallah Hassan the deputy governor of North Darfur state, the joint mediator said that his plan for Darfur was to strengthen dialogue between different parties for lasting peace in Darfur, and to promote reconciliation.

Bassole said his priority is to sit down with all the players “so that I can absorb the realities on the ground, and to organize quite quickly a few work sessions.”

The new envoy was received at El Fasher airport by the head of UNAMID and Joint Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada, and other management staff of the mission,

During their exchange of views, the Joint Special Representative Adada promised the JCM that UNAMID would do everything to help the JCM in his task.

The mediator is expected to visit the towns of Nyala, South Darfur and El Geneina in West Darfur with the same message during his four day visit.

(ST)