African-Arab meeting on Darfur peace delayed for the second time
January 10, 2009 (CAIRO) – For the second time within two weeks, the Arab league postponed a meeting to discuss African and Arab action to end the five years conflict in western Sudan region of Darfur.
The ministerial meeting was initially scheduled to convene in Doha on January 4, but it was delayed to January 12 due to the travel of the Qatari Prime Minister to New Yrok to attend a UN Security Council meeting on ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
Today Sudan’s Arab League envoy, Salah Halima, announced that the foreign minister meeting was adjourned to Wednesday 14 January without elaboration.
The six-member committee is co-chaired by the Qatari Prime Minister, Hamad bin Jasim, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Jean Ping and Arab League Secretary General Amr.
Last September the Arab League charged the panel with the organization and sponsorship of peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and the rebel movements. Qatar has been chosen to host the peace talks.
The committee is expected to discuss the ongoing efforts to hold peace talks with Sudan government and Darfur rebel groups. Also, it will determine the way forward to solve the six year conflict.
Darfur main rebel groups criticized earlier this week the double standards of the Arab countries in dealing with the safety and security of civilians both in Darfur and Gaza. They said that Arabs turned a blind eye to the crimes committed by the Sudanese government in Darfur where more than 300000 of civilians had been killed.
(ST)