Sudanese government, Darfur rebels to resume peace talks

KHARTOUM, Oct 20, 2004 (Xinhua) — The Sudanese government and the Darfur rebels will resume peace talks on Thursday in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, head of the government delegation for the talks Majzoub El-Khalifa Ahmed said on Wednesday.

Ahmed said security issue “is the only obstacle” on the way tothe new round of talks.

“Solving the security issue will help solve all remaining issues between the two sides,” Ahmed said in a special statement to the Sudan Media Center (SMC).

“No dispute over economical and social issues in Darfur after the address made by Sudanese President Omar El-Basher recently tothe Sudanese National Assembly,” said he.

When addressing the National Assembly on Oct. 4, the Sudanese president announced his government has taken clear policies in Darfur to mend social structure and enhance native administration by offering it more legal and administrative authorities. The president added that his government pushed forward programs for water, health and education and had specified additional budgets for that.

Ahmed stressed readiness of the Sudanese government for the coming round of talks in order to tackle the pending issues between the two sides.

He referred to the positive atmosphere for the Abuja talks after the five-way African summit held last Sunday in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

He urged the rebel movements in Darfur to respond with responsibility to the talks in Abuja and find a final resolution to the Darfur crisis.

The five-way African summit, which was attended by leaders of Nigeria, Libya, Sudan, Egypt and Chad, stressed refusal of any foreign intervention in the Darfur issue.