Sudanese government and Darfur rebels to hold informal discussions

January 4, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government said it has received an invitation from the African Union (AU) to participate in an informal meeting with two Darfur rebel movements in Addis Ababa.

Head of Darfur peace office and government chief negotiator Amin Hassan Omer pointed the AU hasn’t yet set a date for the meeting which would include the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim and Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM).

He said the meeting would seek to explore points of convergence between the government and the rebel groups, stressing his government’s firm stance that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) should form the bases for any peace agreements in the region.

Omer further expressed readiness to participate in the informal meeting once the AU determines its date.

The latest round of talks last November between the Sudanese government and the Darfur rebels have stalled over issues pertaining to the security, humanitarian and political arrangements.

Darfur rebel groups demand to hold talks on Darfur conflict and to open the Doha framework agreement for discussion before to join the national dialogue process.

(ST)