SLM’s Abdel Shafi to visit Doha for talks on Darfur peace process

January 3, 2009 (WASHINGTON) — Ahmed Abdel Shafi, who leads one of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) factions will travel Tuesday to Doha to discuss Darfur peace process with the Qatari officials.

Abdel Shafi declared in the past his rejection to the Doha peace process demanding Khartoum to provide security for Darfur civilians before, he also was involved in Addis Ababa group supported by the US envoy to Sudan in a bid to unify rebel factions.

“We are going to Doha for a two day visit to explain our point of view on peace in Darfur,” he told Sudan Tribune on Sunday, stressing the need to explain his position directly with the mediation.

However his spokesperson Ahmed Fadul Abdallah expected that the visit would positively contribute to the ongoing efforts to reach a lasting and comprehensive agreement for Darfur problem.

In a meeting held with the Sudanese presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Al Deen Attabani, in Doha on December 27, 2009, the mediation asked the government to create a suitable atmosphere for the peace talks scheduled to take place on January 24.

The mediation particularly wants Sudan to improve humanitarian situation in the restive region and to exert more efforts in order to protect the civilians for militia’s attacks. The concern on the two issues is shared by the rebel groups.

Asked about the efforts led by the US envoy to Sudan Scott Gration to unify the rebel groups, Abdel Shafi said they are still working on this regard stressing the need to reunite the different factions.

(ST)