France welcomes resumption of Sudan peace talks to end southern war

PARIS, Dec 7, 2004 (KUNA) — France said on Tuesday that it welcomed the resumption of peace talks between authorities in Khartoum and rebels under the banner of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, which was formed out of the military wing, Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).

Peace initiatives between the two sides have floundered lately but were revived in Kenya on Monday, when Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman Taha met with the southern group leader, John Garang.

“France encourages the parties to make the last necessary efforts in order to conclude, before the end of the year, a global peace agreement as was committed to in writing when the (UN) Security Council met in Nairobi on November 18-19” as a special gesture to resolve African conflicts, Foreign Ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous said.

France said that the signature of an agreement between Khartoum and the group led by Garang could “create a positive dynamic which could contribute to the success of negotiations on Darfur, which are due to resume on December 10 in Abuja.”

The French government, which has been diplomatically active on the Sudan-Darfur crisis and has sent ministers to Khartoum on at least three occasions, is hoping that an agreement with Garang “will contribute to a settlement of the crisis” in Darfur.

Humanitarian organizations and media in Darfur continue to report that the humanitarian situation is desperate in the area and civilians are still victim of attacks by mainly government-backed militia.

But local rebels are also accused of continuing military action and killing local policemen.