AU mediators say door still open until mid-May for SLM and JEM to get on board Darfur deal

The African Union has promised to continue international efforts to bring lasting peace to Darfur despite the refusal of a rebel group and a faction of another to sign a UN-sponsored agreement, Sudan Tribune reported May 7, 2006 - excerpt:

"Our hope is to have everybody on board. The AU and the international community will continue the efforts to have a deal where every single movement (rebel group) will be in," AU spokesman Nouredine Mezni said.

"The door is still open till mid-May to have the others on board. It is the AU Peace and Security Council that will decide the matter," he said.

The council is expected to meet on May 15, but Mezni did not disclose the venue.

JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussain said "all options are still open. What I can say for now is that we are committed to our people and we are standing with them."

Nouri Abdallahi of the al-Nur SLM faction also said his group was still open to negotiations, but added that delegates would start leaving for home Saturday.