Darfur Groups
Optimistic About Talks
Political
groups and popular circles in Darfur have expressed optimism
that a tangible success would be achieved in the new round of
peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and the
Darfur rebel movements.
Just a few days to the talks, due to start on Sunday, they said
there were many facts indicating that the coming round of talks
would be different from the previous ones, therefore strongly
believing that a breakthrough could be made.
’’We, at all levels in Darfur, look at the next round of peace
negotiations as the last opportunity to resolve this crisis.’’
Al- Sadiq Dawal-Bait, executive director of the Civil
Administration Office in North Darfur, said in an interview on
Wednesday.
Stable polity
He mentions some of the conditions prompting the optimism.
’’There are many facts indicating that the coming peace talks
would achieve positive results. The security situation in Darfur
is stable and calm, not to mention the fact that the
international community is backing the efforts of the peaceful
settlement," he said.
Unification
The Commissioner of al-Siraif community in Northern Darfur
state, Siddiq Bassi, also said there were several factors that
would ensure the success of the negotiations.
’’Among these factors was the announcement by six of the Darfur
rebel factions of their unification into one political body.
This is important because it would accelerate the negotiations
and consequently help reach a peaceful settlement of the
crisis,’’ he said.
Leaders of the six factions reiterated in a statement their
adherence to the political, military and social unity in Darfur
and Sudan in general, affirming that political negotiation was
the most viable and strategic option to reach a just and lasting
peace in the region.
External factors
Bassi also said another important and optimistic factor was the
positive development in the Sudanese-Chadian relations.
’’It is well known that some Darfur movements are associated
with Chad, and therefore the understanding between the two
countries would likely to push those movements to join the
negotiations.’’
A popular leader in Koma area in North Darfur, al-Hady Rabeh,
urged the region's armed movements to engage in dialogue with
the government in order to reach a peaceful settlement to the
conflict.
In his words, ’’The coming round of peace talks should be final.
A lasting settlement must be reached. We are tired of the war
and we want a lasting solution to this crisis. The Darfur people
are calling for a comprehensive peace," he emphasised.
Qatar's capital city of Doha is expected to host the new round
of peace talks between the Sudanese government and the Darfur
armed movements on January 24th, to find a peaceful settlement
for the Darfur conflict which has been on since Year 2003.
NAN/Yinka
