ABUJA, 6 November 2004 — Sudan’s government refused to sign a security deal with rebels yesterday designed to end violence in the western Darfur region, saying the document drafted by African Union mediators was too one-sided. But the mediators said they hoped for agreement in Abuja by the weekend now that the rebel side has agreed to sign the plan after two weeks of talks.
The slow-moving talks aimed at ending the Darfur conflict, which has driven 1.5 million civilians from their homes, have been plagued by accusations of ceasefire violations on both sides and deteriorating security on the ground.
The draft security agreement drawn up by mediators calls for a military no-fly zone over Darfur and the disarmament of the pro-Khartoum Arab militias known as Janjaweed.
“Still we are negotiating and consulting... The headache concerns the prohibition of flights over Darfur. The issue of the Janjaweed is also being discussed,” said government spokesman Ibrahim Mohammed as he entered a new session on Friday afternoon. A rebel negotiator said: “This protocol won’t guarantee full security in Darfur, but it will be the first step.”
