AU to boost ceasefire observers in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Dec 16, 2004 (Xinhua) — An African Union (AU) official said here Thursday that AU would boost its ceasefire observers from the current 1,000 to 3,320 in the troubled western Darfur region.

AU official talks to his base by satellite phone.bmp.

Mame Madior Boye, chairperson of AU’s commission Alpha Oumar Konare’s Special Representative for the promotion of the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, made the remarks after she met Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir.

“I noticed the desire of all parties that the AU would take its responsibility as quickly as possible to deploy enough number of AU observers to ensure the respect of the cease-fire agreement,” the official said.

She said the ongoing negotiations in the Nigerian capital Abuja would discuss the deployment of additional observers, adding that she hoped the negotiations would lead to a final peace agreement between the government and rebel groups.

Boye stressed the importance of committing to the ceasefire and negotiations in order to settle disputes.

Boye also expressed appreciation for the seriousness showed by el-Bashir to realize peace in Darfur.

“I noticed seriousness of Sudanese president and his personal keenness to reach a peace agreement with the Darfur rebels to enhance the humanitarian situations which will lead to the return of the refugees and displaced people to their home areas,” said the AU official.