AFRICA/SUDAN - Talks for peace in Darfur resumed but the situation in the region is still critical

Monday, 13 December 2004

Rome (Fides Service)- Fresh diplomatic efforts are being undertaken to solve the tragic crisis in Sudan’s western region of Darfur. In effect Sudanese government and rebels operating in Darfur resumed talks on Friday 10 December in Abuja, Nigeria. However this did not prevent each side from accusing the other of violating the cease fire agreement still, in theory, in force in the region. Because of the tension caused by these reciprocal accusations, the first session of talks was held today 13 December. The talks are mediated by the African Union which has established 22 December as the deadline for a declaration of principle to include the following points: power sharing, security, demobilisation of militia groups and rehabilitation of soldiers in civil life.
The crisis in Darfur was also discussed by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Presidents of Sudan Omar El Bashir and Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo who met on Sunday 12 December in Cairo.
Foreign ministers of Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Nigeria and Libya met to examine recommendations emerging from a five country summit held recently in Tripoli. In the meantime the government’s “Sudan Media Centre” announced that Chad has agreed to mediate between the Sudanese government and a third rebel group in Darfur, the National Movement for Reform and Development NMRD, the other two being the Sudan Liberation Movement SLM and the Justice and Equality Movement.
The war in Darfur has killed at least 100,000 people forced about 1.6 million to flee their homes and seek safety in refugee camps some in Darfur and some over the border in Chad. The African Union sent a mission of 900 observers protected by a small military unit of about 3,000 men. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/12/2004 righe 28 parole 356)


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