Sudanese official says no rebel should veto peace deal in Darfur

November 14, 2009 (PARIS) – A Sudanese Presidential adviser in charge with Darfur dossier Saturday said no rebel group should hamper a successful outcome of the peace process in Doha where talks are expected to start during the upcoming days.

Ghazi Salah Al-Deeen held a series of talks in Paris with the French officials on Chad, the peace process and the upcoming elections. He met with the French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner, the secretary general of the French presidency Claude Gueant and the presidential adviser for the African affairs.

In a press conference held at the end of his three day visit to Paris at the Sudanese embassy, Ghazi called on all Darfur rebels to take part at the negotiating table in Doha adding that no person should have a right of veto over a possible peace agreement.

The Sudanese official made this statement in a reference for the rebel leader Abdel Wahid Al Nur, who is based in the French capital.

Peace talks are expected to kick off next week in the Qatari capital where different rebel groups are expected to attend but Al-Nur despite the positive signs made recently towards the mediation is expected to not participate in this round.

The Justice and Equality Movement which signed a goodwill agreement with the Sudanese government boycotts the talks but recently said it wants to discuss a clear strategy for the peace process. However its participation at the meeting is not yet determined.

Ghazi paid a visit to the Chadian capital last month where he expressed Sudan’s willingness to normalize bilateral ties in order to end their difference over accusations of supporting each other rebel groups.

After talks with the President Idriss Deby on the Sudanese initiative during a private visit to Paris recently, the French officials invited the Sudanese Presidential Adviser to discuss with him what they can do to restore relations between the two countries.

Ghazi during his press conference praised the Chadian president adding that relations between Chad and Sudan are deeper than the current differences. He also said they agreed to work together to implement the already signed agreements stressing the political will exists now to enforce it.

As the Sudan prepares to hold its first free elections next year, the French officials discussed with the visiting Sudanese presidential aide the role that France and play to help for the success of the electoral process.

The Sudanese official told the press they agreed to discuss in the near future the support that Paris can provide adding it could be elections observers or technical assistance.

Ghazi left Paris to Khartoum from where he is expected to fly next week to the Qatari capital to attend the opening session of the peace talks.

(ST)