UN Security Council grace period to achieve progress in Darfur expires

Developments in the negotiations between conflicting sides in Sudan coincide with the end of the grace period given by the UN Security Council to Sudan to solve the Darfur crisis or face international sanctions. The UN secretary general Kofi Annan will submit a report today on the progress achieved in preparation for the return back of stability to Sudan.

In this regard, the African Union is investigating allegations raised by the rebels over the Sudanese government's violation of the ceasefire and launching new attacks.

Simultaneously, the minister of health in Southern Darfur district, Omar Abdul Jabbar, said that gunmen from al-Adel Wal Musawat ( Justice and equity) and the Liberation Of Sudan movements seized two vehicles for children polio vaccination in Adwa and Marsan areas to the north of Neyala city.

The minister said they kidnapped 22 of the workers in this camp who were in the two vehicles, and seized another special vehicle for monitoring children polio disease and robbed the property of one doctor at Kass hospital.