Garang confirms he is not supporting rebelling;Khartoum denies approving a self-rule to Darfur

The Sudanese minister of state for foreign affairs, Najib al- Kheir Abdul Wahab, denied the consent of his government to give self rule to Darfur; noting that it will ask for explanations from the UN Higher Commissioner for Refugees over his statements to this end.

In press statements, the minister said that no official statement was issued by the government to give self rule to Darfur, adding that the discussion about this issue is to be discussed at the table of negotiations in Abuja, Nigeria where a new round of talks will be held on October 21st. He also stressed that the special item concerning political settlement was not discussed yet and will be on the agenda of the next round of negotiations.

These statements are in contradiction with the announcement made by the Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismail that it is the right of Darfur to enjoy a sort of self rule covering all areas.

The UNHCR official announced on Sunday that the Sudanese government which has been exposed to international pressures is ready to give Darfur limited self rule, but the rebels have now to approve negotiations. The official is making contacts at the meantime with senior officials in al Khartoum over the developments of conditions in Darfur.

Abdul Wahab said that the talks concentrate on ensuring the voluntary return back of the Sudanese refugees, ensuring security and protection for the camps of the refugees in Darfur in addition to the agreement on special arrangements to reach humanitarian aid to the vulnerable in the area.

The Sudanese minister also expected that Abuja's next round of negotiations to be decisive, considering that it will not be of the same difficulty that already faced previous rounds of negotiations.

In the same context; the leader of the Sudan People Liberation Movement, John Garang, denied the accusations by the government of Khartoum over his support to the rebel movement in Darfur. In statements to the BBC he held the Sudanese government responsible for the crisis in the district.

Garang proposed dispatching alliance forces from his militia and the government forces and the African federation to Darfur.

Peace talks in Sudan are due to resume in Kenya in October concerning southern Sudan. Garang said that the success of the talks is necessary to establish peace in the south and in Darfur.