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UK Warns Darfur Rebels Not to Skip Talks

Summit is aimed at uniting rebels for later talks with Sudan

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 9, 2007 8:35 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The UK Minister for Africa warned Sudanese rebel factions yesterday that if they boycott upcoming talks in Libya, “their role in the peace negotiations may be finished." The talks are aimed at finding common ground among the rebel groups in preparation for later talks with the Sudan government. The threat drew criticism from rebel leaders, some of whom demanded more peacekeepers in Sudan before attending the talks.

Some of the largest of more than a dozen rebel groups had threatened not to attend the talks which start Oct. 27 and are endorsed by the UN Security Council.  And while many in Darfur are skeptical of the talks' chances, an Egyptian minister echoed the UK position: "Halt military operations and seize the chance to make negotiations successful."

The governor of North Darfur, Youssouf Kebir, center, shakes hands with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, right, as Nobel peace laureate, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, left, looks on at the governor's residence in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007. A group of elder statesmen, including...
The governor of North Darfur, Youssouf Kebir, center, shakes hands with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, right, as Nobel peace laureate, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, left, looks on at the...   (Associated Press)
U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown speaks at the Inaugural Meeting of the Global Alliance for ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and Development in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in tjhis Monday, June 19, 2006 file photo. Malloch Brown has been name as the Minister for Africa Asia and the United Nations...
U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown speaks at the Inaugural Meeting of the Global Alliance for ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and Development in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in...   (Associated Press)
In this photo made available by African Mission in Sudan (AMIS), AMIS personnel carry the coffin of a peacekeeper during a funeral ceremony at the Mission's Forward Headquarters in El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan, on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. Rebel forces stormed a small African Union base in northern Darfur last...
In this photo made available by African Mission in Sudan (AMIS), AMIS personnel carry the coffin of a peacekeeper during a funeral ceremony at the Mission's Forward Headquarters in El Fasher, Darfur,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo made available by African Mission in Sudan (AMIS), The coffins of 10 AMIS soldiers are seen during their funeral ceremony at the Mission's Forward Headquarters at el Fasher, Darfur, Sudan, on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. Rebel forces stormed a small African Union base in northern Darfur, last...
In this photo made available by African Mission in Sudan (AMIS), The coffins of 10 AMIS soldiers are seen during their funeral ceremony at the Mission's Forward Headquarters at el Fasher, Darfur, Sudan,...   (Associated Press)
Graphic originally transmitted Oct. 8, 2007; Map locates Darfur and Haskanita base in Sudan; 1c x 3 1/2 inches; 46.5 mm x 88.9 mm
Graphic originally transmitted Oct. 8, 2007; Map locates Darfur and Haskanita base in Sudan; 1c x 3 1/2 inches; 46.5 mm x 88.9 mm   (Associated Press)
In this photo made available by African Mission in Sudan, a soldier of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) inspects the coffin of a killed peacekeeper ahead of a funeral ceremony at the Mission's Forward Headquarters at el Fasher, Darfur, Sudan, on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. Rebel forces...
In this photo made available by African Mission in Sudan, a soldier of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) inspects the coffin of a killed peacekeeper ahead of a funeral ceremony at the Mission's...   (Associated Press)
U.S. special envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios speaks to the media at a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. Natsios warned Saturday that the country could fall back into civil war if the peace deal between the government and former southern rebels is not properly implemented...
U.S. special envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios speaks to the media at a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. Natsios warned Saturday that the country could fall back into civil war...   (Associated Press)
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, second from right, is accompanied by an unidentified senior Sudanese General into the residence of the governor of North Darfur, El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan, Oct. 2, 2007. A group of elder statesmen, including former U.S. President Carter and Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu,...
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, second from right, is accompanied by an unidentified senior Sudanese General into the residence of the governor of North Darfur, El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan, Oct. 2, 2007....   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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Why Libya?
Guardian (UK)

Peacekeepers say they need more equipment
allAfrica.com

 
Darfur • Sudan • boycott • UK minister for Africa

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