Sudan rebels pursue talks with govt despite fresh Darfur fighting

ABUJA, Nigeria, Nov 2, 2004 (PANA) — In spite of the reported fresh outbreak
of fighting between rebels of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Sudanese government in the Darfur region Monday, the SLA delegation to the Sudan peace talks in Abuja said it would continue to participate in the talks.

Spokesman for the movement, Magzoub Hussaini, told PANA at the
venue of the talks Tuesday that, “we will continue with the talks
but now we call on the international community to come to the aid
of our forces and people”.

He accused the government forces of attacking civilians in the
Darfur region, adding, “they attack our civilians and kill our
people, the government is not serious to solve the crisis”.

Hussaini said its delegation at the talks was still intact.

“Nobody has left, the delegation is still complete, we do not
intend to leave before the next 10 days,” he assured.

He however warned that continued fighting in Sudan may jeopardise
the ongoing talks.

Meanwhile, mediators at the talks said they were putting
finishing touches to the draft political protocol for
presentation to theparties later Tuesday night.

AU Spokesman Niang Boubou said the talks have continued to
progress smoothly.

“Things are progressing without hitches here, all the parties are
committed to the talks and have been participating in all the
talks,” he told PANA, dismissing reports that the rebels planned
to send their fighters in Abuja home because of the fresh
fighting

“We have not made any arrangement for departures for anybody, I
am not aware of any complaints or plans by any group to leave
Abuja,” Boubou said.