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Main Rebel Groups to Skip Darfur Talks

Boycott of tomorrow's summit dims peace prospects for Sudan

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2007 4:05 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Two of Darfur's main rebel groups said today they will not attend peace talks scheduled to start in Libya tomorrow, dealing a significant blow to hopes for a quick end to the nation's civil war, Reuters reports. The UN-sponsored talks are still expected to go on with several other rebel groups in attendance, but the main groups' withdrawal is a "very serious setback," says one analyst.

The main groups said they dropped out because "genuine parties that should be part of the peace process" were not invited. With diplomacy unraveling before the talks even begin, the US has threatened sanctions against the government and rebels alike. "They don't have a free ticket or a free ride," said one official. International observers say 200,000 have been killed since the uprising began in 2003.

African Union peacekeepers stand watch in Muhajeria town, south Darfur, Sudan, following a rebel attack earlier this month. (AP photo/Stuart Price.)
African Union peacekeepers stand watch in Muhajeria town, south Darfur, Sudan, following a rebel attack earlier this month. (AP photo/Stuart Price.)   (Associated Press)
African Union peacekeepers and Sudan Liberation Army members stand watch in Muhajeria, south Darfur, following a militia attack earlier this month.(AP photo/Stuart Price)
African Union peacekeepers and Sudan Liberation Army members stand watch in Muhajeria, south Darfur, following a militia attack earlier this month.(AP photo/Stuart Price)   (Associated Press)
African Union peacekeepers keep watch in south Darfur following a rebel attack earlier this month. (AP photo/Stuart Price) AP Photo/Stuart Price/AMIS/ho)
African Union peacekeepers keep watch in south Darfur following a rebel attack earlier this month. (AP photo/Stuart Price) AP Photo/Stuart Price/AMIS/ho)   (Associated Press)
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Fresh fighting further dampens hopes
Voice of America

Peace prospects look bleak
BBC

African Union urges rebels to attend peace talks
Al Jazeera

 
United Nations • Darfur • genocide • diplomacy • Sudan • peace process • boycott

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