ABUJA, 21 October 2005 — African Union-mediated talks to end the Darfur conflict adjourned for a month yesterday with mediators and delegates saying modest progress had been made.

The sixth round of talks between Darfur rebels and the government have inched forward for a month but were hindered by rebel disunity, growing violence in the western Sudanese region and deteriorating relations between Sudan and the AU.

Much of the negotiation centered on technical points rather than tangible issues of wealth and power-sharing needed to end the conflict, which started in early 2003 and has driven 2 million people from their homes to refugee in camps in the vast arid region and across the border in Chad.

Agreements were reached on human rights and fundamental freedoms and guidelines for power sharing, while preliminary discussions were held on the federal system of governance, the delegates and mediators said in a joint statement.

They gave no details on the substance of the agreements.

“We are confident that even though modest progress was made during this session, the foundation had been laid to enable us to move forward on the substantive issues on the agenda for the power-sharing negotiations, during the next round,” the statement said.

An agenda was also agreed for negotiations on wealth-sharing and informal consultations held on security arrangements and negotiations for a permanent cease-fire in Darfur.

In Khartoum, Foreign Minister Lam Akol said the next round of peace talks on Nov. 20 would include members of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and a new joint government position.

Fresh Attacks

While Darfur’s two main rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), were negotiating peace in Abuja, splinter groups were blamed for attacks on the 6,000-strong force monitoring Darfur’s shaky cease-fire agreement.

The SLA/M and JEM launched a rebellion against the Sudanese government more than 2-1/2 years ago, accusing Khartoum of neglect and political and economic domination.

The United Nations says Khartoum responded by arming Arab militia accused of a widespread campaign of rape, killing and burning in non-Arab villages.

Security in Darfur has deteriorated in recent weeks, especially in West Darfur bordering Chad, where militias have attacked refugee camps and AU personnel have been abducted by the dissident rebels.

The situation has not been helped by the presence of Chadian army deserters.

Foreign Minister Akol said the deserters — who have since sworn to overthrow Chadian President Idriss Deby — would be disarmed and treated as refugees.

“We are not going to allow any armed people to stage war on their countries from our borders,” he said.

British aid agency Oxfam said humanitarian agencies were being increasingly targeted by bandits and looting in Darfur.

“The security situation in Darfur is not improving — thousands of people still face threats of horrific violence every day,” said Oxfam’s Nikki Bennett.

The AU also expressed concern yesterday as it renewed its mandate to monitor the cease-fire between the rebels and government forces.

Eritrea Withdraws Many Border Troops

Eritrea has withdrawn a large number of troops from its border with Sudan in a step toward improving strained relations between the two neighbors, Sudan’s foreign minister said yesterday.

Sudan has accused Eritrea of arming and supporting rebel groups from both the east and western Darfur region. “Our people on the ground have witnessed the withdrawal of a large number of Eritrean armed forces (from the border),” Sudanese Foreign Minister Akol told reporters.