Sudan: Darfur Peace Talks Break Down Before They Start

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

http://allafrica.com/stories/200407190010.html

>snip
Peace talks aimed at ending 17-months of conflict between the Sudanese government and two rebel groups in the Darfur region broke down on Sunday before negotiations had even begun. The talks, which were aimed at finding a political solution to the conflict, had opened two days earlier, on 15 July.

The African Union mediators held separate consultations with the Sudanese government representatives and the rebels, after an initial meeting ended in what was reported as a mutual "shouting match".

The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels put forward a number of preconditions to holding political talks: disarmament of the Janjawid and the removal of those of them absorbed by the police and army; respect for the 8 April ceasefire; an end to impunity for the perpetrators of crimes and an inquiry into allegations of genocide; unimpeded humanitarian access; release of prisoners of war; and a "neutral" venue for future talks, which did not include Ethiopia.

The coordinator of JEM, Ahmed Jugod, told IRIN that unless these basic demands were met they would not engage in a political dialogue with Khartoum.
>snip