UN accuses Darfur rebels of obstructing peace efforts

The UN envoy to Sudan Yan Brunik accused the Darfur rebels of obstructing the efforts to resume the peace talks aimed at ending the crisis in the district.

Brunik said in a press conference held in Khartoum on Wednesday that the two movements of al-Adel Wal Musawat ( justice and equality) and the liberation of Sudan refuse cooperation with mediators in specifying their physical positions on the ground. Brunik expressed his regret over suspending Abuja talks for six months. He blamed the two said movements over their failure to reach a common position.

The UN envoy considered that the current position is not in the interest of the people of Darfur, noting that the UN opposes practicing pressure against the rebels to return back to the table of negotiations, but he stressed this will remain a difficult matter in case there is no coordination among the rebels. He said that the two rebel movements might convene meetings in Darfur in the coming weeks to agree on a common understanding. A matter will accelerate the peace process.

Worthy mentioning that the rebels detained a team of the African Union recently saying that this team entered areas they are controlling without a prior consent. However, Union's officials stressed that the team does not need to provide such notifications.