Sudan says no need for a new mediator but more pressures on Darfur rebels

April 24, 2011 (KAHRTOUM) — Sudan’s foreign affairs ministry reacted today officially to the resignation of Djibril Bassole from his position as United Nations and African Union chief joint mediator for Darfur saying there is no need for a new mediator but pressure on rebel groups.

Following a recent ministerial reshuffle in Burkina Faso, the joint chief mediator has been chosen for the second time to the position of minister for foreign affairs and regional cooperation.

Appointed on 30 June 2008 on a full-time basis, Bassole had to renegotiate his contract with the United Nations last December in order to follow some governmental missions for his country, Burkina Faso.

“We appreciate the efforts exerted by Bassole during the past period to reach a comprehensive peace agreement in Darfur,” said the spokesperson of the foreign affairs ministry in Khartoum Khalid Moussa. “But seemingly he preferred to be foreign minister in his country,” he added.

Khalid further said that the mediation will continue through the existing mechanisms adding they expect more international involvement in the peace process during the upcoming days.

“What we need now is political will from the rebel movements,” Khalid stressed. However, he further said Sudanese government is open to study any proposition for a new mediator.

He also welcomed a report by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to the Security Council calling for more efforts to convince Minni Minawi and Abdul Wahid to join the peace process.

The talks between the government, Justice and Equality Movement and Liberation and Equality Movement are stalled over the administrative status in Darfur. Khartoum refuses to establish a regional authority demanded by the rebel groups.

The mediation is however planning to hand a draft peace agreement to the parties on 27 April before to adopt it by a general conference for Darfur stakeholders on 18 May.

Bassole said he would attend the stakeholders conference to facilitate the adoption of the peace agreement.

The head of the peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) Ibrahim Gambari is in Doha since several days to prepare for the Darfur Political Process which is should to be conducted in the restive region by the African Union High level Panel chaired by the former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

(ST)