Sudan’s VP reaffirms commitment to peaceful solution to Darfur

KHARTOUM, Apr 26, 2005 (Xinhua) — Sudanese First Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha said Tuesday that the government is committed to a peaceful and political solution to the Darfur issue.

Taha made the remark in a meeting with a visiting African Union (AU) delegation led by Sam Ibok, AU’s envoy tasked with arranging for the next round of Darfur peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria.

The vice president briefed the delegation on the government’s preparation to resume the Abuja talks due in May and appreciated AU’s role in realizing security and stability in Darfur.

The delegation presented proposals to the Sudanese government on the Abuja talks, reaffirming the importance of speeding up efforts to realize peace and stability in Darfur.

The AU delegation arrived here Sunday for consultations with the Sudanese government on the resumption of the Abuja peace talks between the government and Darfur rebel groups.

Darfur rebels took up arms in February 2003 against the government, accusing it of neglecting the barren area. The violence has killed thousands of people and displaced at least 1 million.

Several rounds of peace talks between the conflicting parties have failed to achieve any breakthrough.