Sudan Darfur peace talks fail deadline
Sudan, Politics, 5/5/2006

The Washington Post reported today that talks have so far failed deadlines set to forge a peace agreement between the Sudan government and three Sudan rebel groups, with the two small rebel groups having opposed signing, and the third large Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) approving the agreement with reservation and division among its two top leaders. Main sticking points are said to be representation in parliament, and security assurances.

US President George W. Bush said yesterday that "The United States is the only country to have called the crimes taking place in Sudan what they are: genocide. To end these atrocities, we've developed a clear standard. First, there must be a political course. Right now, as we speak, we're negotiating to bring a political settlement so that all sides will lay down their arms, a settlement between the government and the rebels. These conversations are taking place in Abuja."

Bush added "But, as well, we must understand that the rape and the murder and the suffering must be stopped, and that's why I believe strongly that we must augment AU forces with a blue-helmeted UN force, with a NATO overlay, so that we can send a clear message to the leaders of Sudan: We will not tolerate the genocide taking place in that country."

The US is playing a very active role in the negotiation process for a peace agreement in Darfur. Sudan is opposed to UN forces being imposed on it, and said would only consider this option as part of, or after, a peace agreement is signed with the Darfur rebels. Sudan supports the plan and presence of African Union forces.

Earlier, the African Union mediator in Abuja talks Salem Ahmed Salem had announced Tuesday night in Abuja the extension of the last round of these talks between the Sudanese parties about the AU document for peace in Darfur for another 24 hours to give the opportunity for more consultations between the Sudanese government delegation and the two movements of the Sudanese Liberation and Justice and Equality.

The statement was issued following the meeting held by the AU mediator with the two delegations of Libya and Nigeria the two sponsors of the Abuja talks European partners America and Canada to assess the progress of the last round of these talks and reasons behind its stumbling.

Today, the top United Nations rights official said in Khartoum that the human rights crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region is in some respects worse than 18 months ago, humanitarian aid is declining, the national security apparatus inspires fear among hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and rebel attacks are reported to be causing massive displacements.

Impunity remains the norm in human rights violations, UN rights monitors have repeatedly been denied access to detention facilities, and the International Criminal Court (ICC), to which the situation has been referred, should act “robustly and visibly,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour added at the end of a six-day visit.

Previous Stories:
  The Sudan Darfur peace needs new perspective   (5/3/2006)
  Sudanese rebels urged to sign Darfur peace   (5/3/2006)
  On security in Chad Sudanese refugee camps   (5/2/2006)
  Darfur agreement delayed   (5/1/2006)

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