Sudan affirms readiness to peace talks with Darfur rebels

KHARTOUM, Feb 26, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudanese government has affirmed its readiness to the coming session of peace negotiations with Darfur rebels in the Nigerian capital of Abuja and that it has a clear vision for the political solution in the context of Nairobi’s Peace Agreement, the Sudanese News Agency reported

Majzoub al-Khalifa, the head of the government negotiating delegation (AP).

The Political Secretary of the ruling National Congress party, Magzoub Al-Khalifa, renewed upon receiving the visiting delegation of African Union (AU) the government commitment to the cease fire and full cooperation with the AU to realize stability in Darfur.

Al-Khalifa said the declared stance of the African Union internationally and regionally with respect to Darfur problem is that it should be solved in the African framework without any external interference in a manner that maintains Sudan’s unity and sovereignty.

He pointed out that the African Union’s delegation has expressed its appreciation on the continuous cooperation of the government to realize security and stability in Darfur and commended its keenness to find a comprehensive settlement for the issue through political dialogue.

Al-Khalifa said the visit and meetings of the AU delegation with the various parties aim at setting a date for the coming session of negotiations under the prevailing positive atmosphere which will assist in finding comprehensive political solution.

Rebels in Sudan’s western Darfur region Sudan Libration Movement (SLM) last week made their participation at peace talks with Khartoum later this month conditional on EU and US officials overseeing ceasefire obligations.

The last round of peace talks between Khartoum and ethnic minority rebels broke off in December amid rebel charges that the government was planning a massive offensive in Darfur and constant ceasefire violations.

The Abuja talks are aimed at resolving a conflict which is estimated to have killed more than 70.000 and driven two million people from their homes since the rebellion began in February 2003.