Monday, September 28, 2009

AU vows to find political solution to Darfur conflict

From www.chinaview.cn,  Monday, 28 September 2009:
AU vows to find political solution to Darfur conflict
KHARTOUM, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) affirmed on Monday that it would press on with its endeavors to settle the Darfur conflict, which has been waging in the Sudanese western region since 2003, and end the suffering of the Darfur people.

"Today we are reviewing one of the most important issues in Africa, which is the Darfur conflict, and we hope we come out with a practical vision to reach a political settlement," said Chairperson of the AU Committee on Cooperation, International Relations, and Conflict Resolutions Juliana Sotti at the opening session of the Conference the Pan-African Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution.

He said "the committee seeks to discuss the Darfur issue, its causes and how to solve them prior to submission of recommendations to the coming African summit."

For his part, Chairperson of the Communication Office of the AU Office in Sudan Mahmud Kan praised the recent improvement in the security situation in Darfur, saying "the Darfur conflict should be resolved politically and not militarily."

He said the meetings would avail a good opportunity to reach understandings on the best possible means to end the Darfur conflict and that the AU would carry on its endeavors to narrow the differences between the parties.

The African official accused the Darfur armed movements of being obstinate and insistent in boycotting peaceful negotiations with the Sudanese government, saying "we, at the AU, believe that some movements were very persistent in refusing to sit to cooperate with the Sudanese government to end the suffering of the Darfur people."

He called on the Darfur armed movements to negotiate with the Sudanese government to reach a solution to the conflict.

"We want all African issues to be resolved within the African framework. This does not mean we reject initiatives by other countries. We should look on how to end the conflict. The Sudanese people must work together to resolve their issues," he said.

African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamra, and Sudanese Parliament Speaker Ahmed Ibrahim al-Taher, along with representatives from 25 African countries are attending the two-day conference.

Participants will discuss the latest development of the Darfur conflict and size of the humanitarian assistance needed for the internally displaced persons.

Editor: Fang Yang

No comments: