Sudan announces Darfur truce
It is feared the talks may be doomed without the involvement of all rebel groups
Also In The News
|
Directed by Michael Moore, out Friday October 26th, in cinemas, starring Michael Moore, Tony Benn, running time 123 mins . |  |
Saturday, 27, Oct 2007 08:14
Sudan has declared an immediate unilateral ceasefire in Darfur as peace talks begin in Sirte, Libya.
But negotiations have already been hindered after three main rebel groups opted not to attend.
As discussions got underway Sudanese presidential adviser Nafie Ali Nafie said: "We announce a ceasefire from this moment, and we will respect it unilaterally."
The Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Army Unity faction had earlier announced that they would not travel to the talks which are being staged by the African Union and the United Nations.
Their decision follows that of Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur, leader of a third militia group, the Sudan Liberation Army, to pass up the invitation.
The Sudanese province has suffered over four years of violence and it is feared that anything less than a comprehensive agreement between the warring factions will prove too fragile to restore peace to the region.
Last year, at a time when there were just three groups involved in the conflict, a peace deal signed by one caused the creation of a more than a dozen separate splinter groups.
However organisers had maintained that the discussions are merely the first step in providing a lasting solution to the troubles and are hopeful of drawing all the rebels into the talks.
"It's not a question of one meeting or two. It's a long process. We hope that, as it evolves, others will join in," said AU spokesman Noureddine Mezni.
It has been estimated that 200,000 people have died since the uprising began in 2003, although the Sudanese government, which claims to be ready to reach a compromise with the rebels, put the figure at around 9,000.