Sudan’s Darfur peace talks stall in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria, Dec 12, 2004 (UPI) — Peace talks for Sudan’s Darfur region have resumed in Nigeria, but rebel delegates refuse to continue until their demands are met.

Ahmed Tugod, spokesman for the Justice and Equality Movement. (AP).

The opening session of the talks began 24 hours late Saturday with just thirty minutes of speeches, the Voice of America reported Sunday.

The rebel Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Movement refused to resume talks unless they are assured government attacks stop in Darfur.

They also want the African Union to condemn recent attacks and have called on government troops to return to their barracks.

The government said the demands were impossible to be met because forces were providing security and clearing areas of what they called lawless elements.

Previous talks broke up last month with agreements reinforcing a cease-fire and the protection of refugees, but those points have been ignored.