| Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC June 10, 2005 Question Taken at June 10, 2005 Daily Press Briefing Darfur Peace Talks in AbujaQuestion: Can you give us an update on the peace talks in Abuja Answer: The African Union mediated peace talks that resumed today (June 10) with an opening plenary session in Abuja, Nigeria. The African Union urges all sides to take advantage of this opportunity and encourages all sides to negotiate in a constructive manner.
Speakers included: African Union Chairman Konare; Dr. Salim Salim, the African Union’s chief mediator for the talks; Jan Pronk, United Nations Secretary-General Special Representative to Sudan; facilitators from Nigeria, Chad, and Libya; and representatives from the Government of Sudan, Darfur rebel groups, the European Union, and the Arab League.
Although not all rebel representatives had arrived yet for the opening session, the African Union was determined to begin. All speakers reiterated their commitment to finding a political solution to the crisis in Darfur. The next plenary session is planned for tomorrow (June 11).
Retired Ambassador John Yates and a senior U.S. team are attending the talks to lend support and help encourage the parties to remain engaged. They urged all sides to take advantage of this opportunity to negotiate in good faith and build on the progress they made at the previous sessions. 2005/603 |
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