Darfur mediator briefs peacekeepers on Doha talks

June 25, 2009 (AL-FASHER) – Darfur peace mediator briefed today the peacekeeping mission on progress achieved during latest round of talks between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels.

Djibril Bassole Thursday paid a one-day visit to the North Darfur capital of El Fasher, where he held a meeting with Acting Joint Special Representative, Mr. Henry Anyidoho and other senior officials.

Bassole briefed on the steps taken as well as progress made regarding the peace process, and the outcome of the Doha talks between the Government of Sudan and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

Two days ago Basolé told Sudan Tribune the mediation is working to reach a ceasefire agreement between the warring parties. The hybrid mission at different occasion expressed readiness to monitor such agreement.

In an effort to expand the mediation efforts, the joint AU-UN mediator also met with members of the native administration and Arab leaders in El Fasher to hear their views and discuss the way forward.

The mediation intends to enlarge the negotiation to include the different rebel groups and the civil society as well as the traditional leaders.

After around two months of talks on the implementation of the goodwill and confidence building deal and the framework agreement, the Doha negotiations had been suspended for two months. The parties are expected to meet again at the end of July.

(ST)