Arab League to join meeting on Sudan in Norway

CAIRO, Sept 22 (AFP) — The Arab League confirmed Wednesday that it would take part in a two-day meeting in Norway next week to discuss efforts to bring about peace in southern Sudan and the western region of Darfur.

The meeting of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Partners’ Forum, referred to as the IGAD Partners Forum, will also bring together delegates from France, Italy, Norway and the United States.

The talks, which kick off on Sunday, will also be attended by representatives of the Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement and members of IGAD, a grouping of eastern and central African countries.

The Arab League, the newest member of the IGAD Partners Forum, will be represented by a high-level delegation headed by the 22-member Arab group’s point man on Africa and Sudan, Samir Hosni.

Between 30,000 and 50,000 people have died in the 19-month conflict in Darfur, 1.4 million displaced from their homes and a further 180,000 forced across the border in neighboring Chad, according to the United Nations.