Sudan delegation in Chad for talks with new rebel faction

KHARTOUM, Dec 11 (AFP) — A Sudanese government delegation has arrived in Chad for talks on Saturday with a new rebel body from the Darfur region, the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) said.

The delegation, led by Investment Minister Al-Sherif Ahmed Badr and comprising politicians and executives of Darfur region, would hold what was termed an exploratory round of negotiations with the National Movement for Reform and Development (NMRD).

Delegation member and North Darfur State Governor Osman Yusuf Kibir expressed optimism that the talks “will reach positive and substantial results,” commending the faction for having been “understanding and positive” towards the government proposal for dialogue.

The group is said by Khartoum to have split from one of the two main rebel groups in Darfur — the Justice and Equality Movement — and is made up of between 1,000 and 3,000 fighters from the Zaghawah tribe