Darfur summit eyes solutions within AU framework: Egyptian diplomat
TRIPOLI, Oct 17, 2004 (Xinhua) — A senior Egyptian diplomat said Sunday that a five-way summit to be held here later in the day eyes finding humanitarian and political solutions to the Darfur crisis within the framework of the African Union (AU).
“The summit will try to find an appropriate way within the AU framework that can be accepted by Sudan’s two conflicting sides of their accord, not against their will,” the diplomat in the Egyptian delegation told Xinhua in an interview.
“How to strengthen the AU framework is one of the major topics of the summit,” he said on condition of anonymity.
Foreign ministers from Libya, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria and Chad are to convene on the Darfur issue in preparations for the summit slated for late Sunday, which grouped leaders from the five countries.
He noted that the summit is called at an important timing when conflicting views emerged at both regional and international levels toward how to solve the Darfur crisis.
“Egypt has a clear attitude toward the humanitarian aspect in the Darfur issue, that is to say, we have to allow Sudan all opportunities to solve the crisis,” the diplomat said.
As a neighboring country of Sudan, Egypt would try its best to offer help, the diplomat said, adding Egypt would like to call for a similar summit in the near future if necessary.
Queried about the role of Arab countries in this regard, the diplomat said Egypt welcomes any effort made by Arab countries if it would benefit Sudan.
Clashes flared up in February 2003 between marauding militia, known as Janjaweed, and local black Africans over scarce resources in the barren western Sudanese region of Darfur.
Two rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), took up arms to fight the Janjaweed, which was believed to be responsible for killings and lootings.
They also accused the government of years of negligence and unfair allocation of resources.
Peace talks between the Sudanese government and the rebel groups have adjourned in the Nigerian capital of Abuja without major breakthrough and would be resumed after the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
The Egyptian diplomat said the summit in Libya would focus on finding ways to revive the stalled peace talks.
“During the summit, all concerned Sudanese parties are expected to pledge sincere and practical efforts to settle the disputes,” he added.
The summit was called under the AU auspices in a bid to solve the Darfur crisis, which has grabbed unprecedented world attention.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Sept. 18, urging the Sudanese government to stabilize the situation in Darfur and fully cooperate with the AU.
The AU has spearheaded international attempts to resolve the crisis and is in the process of deploying a 4,500-strong force from around five African countries to Sudan to oversee the peace process.