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Sudan to Call Darfur Ceasefire Ahead of Talks

Government to meet rebels this weekend; peace prospects dim

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 23, 2007 6:59 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Sudan will declare yet another ceasefire in Darfur this weekend, the Guardian reports, as the government sits down with the region’s rebel factions to try to hammer out a peace accord. Government officials called it a “confidence-building measure” designed to “give negotiators a chance to get out with an agreement,” but all previous ceasefires have failed.

The ceasefire isn’t enough for some rebels, who want UN peacekeepers deployed before talks begin Saturday. “This is completely the wrong approach and will only prolong the suffering of the people,” said one leader. Amnesty International accuses Sudan of foot-dragging. “How many more Darfuris must die before the international community responds with the urgency this crisis demands?” asked one Amnesty official.

This picture made available by the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, shows African Union peacekeepers and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) members standing in the burnt-out and destroyed marketplace in Muhajeria town, south Darfur, Sudan, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Stuart Price/AMIS/ho)
This picture made available by the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, shows African Union peacekeepers and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) members standing in the burnt-out...   (Associated Press)
In this undated but recent image released by AMIS, the African Union Mission In Sudan, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, a woman, unseen, comforts her husband who has been severely injured by gunshot outside the AMIS site at Muhajeria, south Darfur. The Sudanese military denied Tuesday that it was involved...
In this undated but recent image released by AMIS, the African Union Mission In Sudan, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, a woman, unseen, comforts her husband who has been severely injured by gunshot outside...   (Associated Press)
In this undated but recent image released by AMIS, the African Union Mission In Sudan, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, a man points to a civilian severely injured by gunshot lying on a makeshift bed outside the AMIS site at Muhajeria, south Darfur. The Sudanese military denied Tuesday that it...
In this undated but recent image released by AMIS, the African Union Mission In Sudan, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, a man points to a civilian severely injured by gunshot lying on a makeshift bed outside...   (Associated Press)
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, greets Sudan's Ambassador to the United Nations Abdelmahmoud Abdelhalim Mohamed at Khartoum airport in Khartoum, Sudan Monday, Sept. 3, 2007. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Sudan, Monday to mobilize support for speedy deployment of a new 26,000-strong peacekeeping force in Darfur...
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, greets Sudan's Ambassador to the United Nations Abdelmahmoud Abdelhalim Mohamed at Khartoum airport in Khartoum, Sudan Monday, Sept. 3, 2007. U.N. Secretary-General...   (Associated Press)
A soldier of the African Union Mission in Sudan looks on while securing a road in al-Fasher, capital of war-torn North Darfur, August 10, 2007. (AFP: Isam Al-Haj)
A soldier of the African Union Mission in Sudan looks on while securing a road in al-Fasher, capital of war-torn North Darfur, August 10, 2007. (AFP: Isam Al-Haj)   (Getty Images)
United Nations Special Envoy to Darfur Jan Eliasson.
United Nations Special Envoy to Darfur Jan Eliasson.   (Getty Images)
Jan Eliasson (L), UN special envoy for Sudan, exchanges a few words with an AMIS soldier.
Jan Eliasson (L), UN special envoy for Sudan, exchanges a few words with an AMIS soldier.   (Getty Images)
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Darfur rebels lack unity going into talks
Los Angeles Times

Six rebel factions boycott talks
Reuters

Darfur rebels slam UN
Sudan Tribune

Southern Sudanese peace on the verge of collapse
McClatchy Newspapers

 
United Nations • Darfur • Sudan • Libya • African Union • peacekeeping force • Sudanese Liberation Army

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