Khartoum and Darfur study proposals of the African mediation

A delegation representing the Sudanese government and the two rebel movements in Darfur, participants in Abuja, Nigeria talks, received a declaration of principles presented by the mediators of the African Union. This declaration will decide the direction in which the negotiations will proceed.

Chief negotiator of the Sudanese side Majzoub al-Khaleifa said that the Khartoum delegation will meet later to consider the declaration of principles which states considering the unity of Sudan as a "sublime untouchable question." It recommends to share authority and wealth, the return back of refugees, honoring the rights of citizens regardless to their culture and regions and punishing violators of their rights.

However, the spokesman for the African Union, Bobo Neyagh, said that the aim of the discussion on the declaration of principles which started in December 2004 aims to "encourage vast consultations that would lead to middle solutions, consensus and agreements during the round of talks."

The Abuja talks have stumbled a short time after its launch amid acts of protest from the two rebel movements over Chad's presence which is accused of being aligned to Khartoum, while Sudan refused Eritrea's attendance being accused of supporting the Sudanese opposition financially and morally. The matter was settled by Chad's absence and Khartoum's acceptance of Asmara attending but as an observer.

The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael warned again that any presence for an Eritrean delegation in a way exceeding the role of "observer" will push the Sudanese delegation to leave the negotiations.