ABUJA, 16 June 2005 — The African Union pursued yesterday efforts to end a civil conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region which has affected millions, as the warring sides held back from face-to-face talks.
A potential stumbling block emerged when both the rebel groups fighting the Khartoum government strongly opposed neighboring Chad as a co-mediator, after a Chadian delegation turned up late Tuesday and became involved in the talks. The rebels said Chad was biased.
“The meeting with our foreign partners, facilitators and observers for their comments and inputs on (a declaration of principle on power-sharing) took place this morning with the attendance of Chad as co-mediator in the talks,” AU spokesman Nouredine Mezni said. Mediated talks between Khartoum and the rebels, the Sudan Liberation Movement and Justice and Equality Movement, had resumed Friday after a six-month suspension because of truce violations. Violence broke out in February 2003 when an uprising representing the mainly black population of Darfur led Khartoum to unleash Arab militias known as Janjaweed in a campaign where they have been accused of “ethnic cleansing”, torture, rape and intimidation.
AU mediators, with facilitators from Nigeria and Libya, have been trading views with officials from international bodies and donor nations including the United States and European countries. Humanitarian officials say a desperate crisis lacks funding to meet the effects of drought, famine and conflict. Millions of dollars would also be required for AU peacekeeping operations in Darfur. NATO earlier this month pledged transport and logistical assistance.
