France urges Darfur rebels to end divisions and start peace talks

February 13, 2010 (PARIS) — French government has reiterated its support to the ongoing efforts to end the seven year conflict in Darfur province urging the rebel groups to overcome their divisions in order to negotiate with the government.

Following a series of consultations in the Qatari capital to find out a formula allowing them to negotiate in one delegation with the government delegation Since January 24, talks deadlocked on whether to coordinate their positions or to merge in one movement.

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) says wants to avoid the divisions encountered during Abuja talks and call on the other rebels to merge under its leadership. While the Sudan Liberation Movement Revolutionary Forces (SLM-RF) with the SLM- Addis Ababa group declare their preference for coordination between the rebel groups.

“France is following with great interest the development of political process in Doha for Darfur and welcomes the efforts of Qatar and the Joint UN-African Union Mediator for Darfur, Djibril Bassole, to reach a political settlement of the conflict” said Bernard Valero the spokesperson of the French foreign ministry on Friday.

He further called on the rebel groups to overcome their divisions and urged their leaders to start the direct peace talks with the government.

Bernard added that the government should stop abuses and displacement of civilians.

“We expect that the weapons are silent and the men talk,” he stressed.

Presidential Adviser, Ghazi Salah Al-Deen, was early this week in Doha to urge the mediation to hasten the direct talks with the rebel groups emphasizing that his government is ready to talks with any rebel movement willing to start the negotiations without delay.

Sudanese official say they want to conclude a peace agreement before April general elections.

The SLM-RF expressed readiness to start negotiations with Khartoum but observers say talks that exclude the two main groups in Darfur could lead to a new deal without ending the conflict.

The joint mediator told the UN security Council last November he was working in a way to include the two main groups adding their involvement besides the civil society should realize a genuine and lasting peace in Darfur.

The leader of the rebel SLM, Abdel Wahid Al-Nur denounced the attacks carried by the government forces against his group in Jebel Marra saying military pressure would not force him to join the Doha peace process.

He also condemned the international silence and “collusion” with Khartoum adding the recent attacks displaced some 20,000 civilians in the mountainous area.

Nur says he wants protection for Darfur civilians before any direct talks with the government. Paris attempted to convince him to join the peace talks.

(ST)