Darfur: Confab Raises Panel to Harmonise Govt, Rebels' Position
From Paul Ibe in Abuja
The ongoing peace talks in Abuja aimed at finding lasting peace in the troubled Darfur region of Sudan, yesterday resolved to set up a committee to harmonise the positions of parties at the talks as regards the United Nations (UN) report on the humanitarian situation in that region.
The panel made up of representatives of the rebels and the Sudanese Government would report to the larger house tomorrow.
THISDAY gathered that the setting up of the panel followed sharp disagreements between both parties on the true situation of the humanitarian condition in Darfur. The Sudanese Government had reported to the talks that the humanitarian situation has impro-ved, while the rebels said that it has witnessed no improvements.
Meanwhile, the threat of UN sanctions looms large on Sudan, as the deadline given by the world body to the government of that country expires Tuesday.
Sources close to the meeting told THISDAY that the Sudanese Government's position is that it needs an additional one month from now through September before "meaningful results could be achieved."
Chairman of the African Union (AU) and convener of the talks warned Tuesday that the international community should not resort to any action, meaning perhaps sanctions, which may jeopardise the search for peace.
President Obasanjo had said; "one thing that would be a real disaster is for the international community to collectively feel absolutely dissatisfied with the mode of the handling of events by the government of Sudan to the extent that that they have to unleash something more than what we are trying to contain."
Chairman of the African Union (AU) and convener of the talks, President Olusegun Obasanjo had warned Tuesday that before the session broke for lunch "from all indications, we have taken the first step in the right direction in this very important talks."
The President while echoing the sentiments of the people of Sudan on the need to keep the international community out of the Darfur crisis said, "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 noted that Sudan had "asked for the African Union troops to help in disarmament and garrisoning of the rebels who need to be disarmed for enduring peace in Darfur which is predicated on finding a lasting solution to a political problem."
The Abuja peace talks had at its opening Tuesday unanimously adopted a 4-point draft agenda. The agenda covered humanitarian, security, and political, economic, and social issues.
President Obasanjo alluded to the "openness and candour" exhibited by parties during their opening statements Tuesday.
Obasanjo, who assured that the talks had made great progress in a short while said that all the "bullet points", meaning contentious issues would be looked into in detail.
The Sudanese government is at the verge of sanctions from the UN for having not done enough to contain the activities of the Arab militia in the troubled region.
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