Paris reiterates call for political solution in Darfur

PARIS, France, Aug 23, 2004 (PANA) — The French foreign ministry reiterated Monday that only a political solution was ideal for lasting peace to prevail in Sudan’s western region of Darfur.

“We have always said that only a fundamental political solution was likely to definitively resolve the Darfur crisis,” a spokesman of the ministry said.

The official hailed the resumption of the peace talks in Nigeria Monday between the Khartoum government and the two rebel movements of Darfur under the auspices of the African Union (AU).

The spokesman recalled that Paris had persistently urged the
Sudanese warring parties to “negotiate in good faith, without
preconditions,” in the interest of the Darfur people, and for the stability of the entire sub-region, including neighbouring Chad.

France continues to “closely” follow the evolution of the
situation in Darfur and was awaiting the results of the
evaluation mission of the UN special envoy for Sudan before
deciding it further course of action, the spokesman said.