Sudan reaffirms commitment to provide conducive environment for Darfur talks

December 28, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan reaffirmed commitment to provide a suitable atmosphere for the start of next round of talks with Darfur rebel groups, stressing keenness to make progress in the negotiations before the elections scheduled for April 2010.

Darfur mediation plans to hold peace talks between the government and rebel groups on January 24, 2010. The negotiations are expected to focus on a ceasefire agreement and a framework for the peace process.

Sudanese delegation headed by the Sudanese Presidential Adviser, Ghazi Salah Al-Deen Attabani who is in charge with Darfur dossier held Sunday a meeting in Doha with Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Djibrill Bassolé, the AU/UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur.

Initiated by the mediation the meeting discussed the efforts done to reunite Darfur rebels but also tackled ways to create a conducive environment before the peace talks.

“We informed the mediation about the efforts made by the government to improve humanitarian and security situation in Darfur, especially for the displaced persons but also we presented an overview of the political situation and ongoing preparation for the elections,” said Amin Hassan Omer who heads the government delegation for the peace process.

Omer stressed that the mediation listened to government efforts to improve the security situation and relief, as this will help in creating a positive environment to resolve Darfur issue and encourage negotiations.

The Sudanese official, in addition, said they informed the mediation about the recent contacts with the Chadian government to improve and normalize relations between the two countries, stressing the importance of this step to speed up the Doha talks.

Following a visit by the Chadian foreign minister to Khartoum last week, the two countries said they agreed to implement a security pact to prevent cross border by rebel groups from the two sides, they also decided to hold a meeting within two week in Ndjamena to discuss the technical details related to enforce it.

Omer disclosed that, following a joint security meeting, Chad and Sudan will implement within four weeks the security protocol between the two countries, which allows controlling the border by joint patrols from the two sides.

He added that the mediation expressed optimism that improved relations between the two countries will reflect positively on the negotiations.

The Sudanese official also welcomed the Chadian participation in the peace talks saying the Doha process aims also to improve relations between the two countries.

(ST)