Darfur: 4-Point Draft Agenda Adopted in Abuja
From Josephine Lohor in Abuja
A tentative step was taken yesterday in the quest to finding lasting peace in the crisis torn Dafur region of Sudan when the Abuja peace talks unanimously adopted a four-point draft agenda.
The agenda covers humanitarian, security, political, economic and social issues.
Chairman of the African Union (AU) and convener of the talks, President Olusegun Obasanjo, said at a press briefing shortly before the session broke for lunch that "from all indications, we have taken the first step in the right direction in this very important talks."
Obasanjo said that the statements made so far by the parties have been frank and that the Sudanese government is going through the draft agenda.
"I believe that we have made progress within the last 24 hours; we have had a wonderful opening and statements from parties concerned.
"Some were emotion-laden, which is understandable. Statements have been frank and the Sudanese government has requested the opportunity to go over the draft agenda, which was unanimously adopted this morning (yesterday) with minor adjustments."
Obasanjo, however, noted "one thing that would be a real disaster is for the international community to collectively feel absolutely dissatisfied with the events of the handling of events by the government of Sudan to the extent that they have to unleash something more than what we are trying to contain."
The European Union is on the verge of imposing sanctions on the Sudanese government for having not done enough to contain the activities of the Arab militia in the troubled region.
Echoing the sentiments of the people of Sudan, Obasanjo warned, "That (possible sanctions) would be a great disaster to Sudan, the government, the people and indeed for Africa" adding, "I believe that we (African leaders) can manage it and we will manage it."
He said that the talks, on resumption, would discuss the working arrangement of the draft agenda and that "issues with bullet points" would be dealt with in detail.
Giving insight into the details of the draft agenda, Obasanjo said that the humanitarian issue, for example, would "deal with issues affecting women and children that have been displaced."
The AU Chairman, who acknowledged that the events in Dafur is hinged on politics, however, noted, "If the politics had been right, the issue of security and humanitarian requirement would not have come up."
Obasanjo, while commending Sudan for its "openness and candour exhibited during the talks," reiterated that "Sudan asked for the African Union troops to help in disarmament and garrisoning of the rebels who need to be disarmed for enduring peace in Dafur which is predicated on finding a lasting solution to a political problem."
He also commended the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, Chairman of the Central African Economic Community, President Dennis Sassou-Nguesso, representative of the Libyan president and Ali Tureki amongst others for their efforts at restoring permanent peace in Dafur.
Chairman of the AU Commission for Peace and Security and former president of Mali, Alpha Konare, presided over the talks after lunch break. The outcome was, however, not available as at press time.
In addition to the Sudanese government, other parties to the crisis including Justice and Equality Movement as well as the Sudan Liberation Army are participating in the talks which opened in Abuja on Monday.
The Dafur crisis brought international attention following the massacre of thousands of blacks by Arab militias, allegedly aided by the Sudanese government. The AU had pledged 3,000 strong peace keeping force.
|
