Sudan’s Darfur talks adjourn for one day over deadlock on security plans

ABUJA, Nigeria, Oct 30, 2004 (MENA) — The all-out Abuja peace talks on Darfur will be postponed for one day from Saturday till Sunday because of differences between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels over security arrangements in the conflict-torn western Sudanese region.

Members of Sudan’s delegation prepare for peace talks with rebels in Abuja, Nigeria October 27, 2004.

Deputy Coordinator-General of the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM) Jamal Abdelrahman Arbab told MENA Saturday that the postponement decision was taken last night after the Sudanese government refused to accept proposals that would impose an air ban on its military forces and require it to withdraw its troops to pre-war positions.

Observers say that the deferment was also caused by another bone of contention in this round of talks which is Khartoum’s demand that the Sudanese rebel troops be assembled in one place so that it will be easy for the African Union group observing the cease-fire agreement to monitor them and their movements effectively.

The rebels refuse the demand saying that gathering their troops in one place would make it much easier for the Sudanese army to hit them. The AU has said the one-day postponement will give it a chance to put its papers in order as far as the proposals of each side are concerned.