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Darfur rebels begin peace talks Darfur rebels seek unity in talks
(about 4 hours later)
Dozens of leaders from Darfur's fractured rebel movement have begun talks in Tanzania. Dozens of leaders from Darfur's fractured rebel movement are holding talks in Tanzania aimed at finding common ground between the groups.
The talks, mediated by the UN and African Union, are aimed at finding common ground between the groups. The talks are being mediated by the United Nations and the African Union.
The UN envoy to Sudan, Jan Eliasson, said he was hopeful the talks would lead to peace negotiations with the Khartoum government in several weeks.The UN envoy to Sudan, Jan Eliasson, said he was hopeful the talks would lead to peace negotiations with the Khartoum government in several weeks.
But an influential rebel leader has boycotted the talks, signalling the divisions within the movement. But an influential rebel leader has boycotted the discussions, signalling the divisions within the movement.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the coming weeks and months "a crucial period in the quest for peace in Darfur".
In a report to the UN Security Council, Mr Ban said that "as long as hostilities continue in Darfur, efforts to reach a political settlement and achieve durable peace will not succeed".
UN peacekeepers
Abdul Wahid Mohammad Ahmed al-Nur, of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), told the BBC he had no intention of going to Arusha.Abdul Wahid Mohammad Ahmed al-Nur, of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), told the BBC he had no intention of going to Arusha.
He said he wanted the killing in Darfur to stop before he would participate in negotiations.He said he wanted the killing in Darfur to stop before he would participate in negotiations.
UN peacekeepers
The splits between the rebel groups are seen as a key factor in the failure of previous talks with the government to end the four-year war.The splits between the rebel groups are seen as a key factor in the failure of previous talks with the government to end the four-year war.
At least 200,000 people are believed to have died and more than two million have been left homeless since 2003.
This is in fact a major step, if this meeting turns out to be relatively successful, towards negotiations Jan EliassonUN envoy to Sudan Will peacekeeping force help? This is in fact a major step, if this meeting turns out to be relatively successful, towards negotiations Jan EliassonUN envoy to Sudan Will peacekeeping force help?
At least 200,000 people are believed to have died and more than two million have been left homeless since 2003.
Sudan's government and pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias are accused of war crimes against the region's black African population, although the UN has stopped short of calling it genocide.Sudan's government and pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias are accused of war crimes against the region's black African population, although the UN has stopped short of calling it genocide.
The talks follow Tuesday's UN Security Council resolution to send 26,000 peacekeepers to Darfur.The talks follow Tuesday's UN Security Council resolution to send 26,000 peacekeepers to Darfur.
Commanders from more than a dozen rebel groups have been invited to the three-day meeting in Tanzania.Commanders from more than a dozen rebel groups have been invited to the three-day meeting in Tanzania.
This is seen as the first step towards getting a deal with the government, so there is a peace for the 26,000 UN and African Union troops to keep.This is seen as the first step towards getting a deal with the government, so there is a peace for the 26,000 UN and African Union troops to keep.
'Major step''Major step'
The UN's envoy to Sudan said he thought formal peace negotiations with the Khartoum government could begin in as soon as four weeks.The UN's envoy to Sudan said he thought formal peace negotiations with the Khartoum government could begin in as soon as four weeks.
KEY REBEL PLAYERS SLM: Minni Minnawi's faction signed 2006 peace deal SLM: Abdul Wahid Mohammad Ahmed al-Nur's faction rejected peace deal Jem: Khalil Ibrahim, one of the first rebel groups, rejected dealRebel negotiator: Suleiman Jamous SLM Unity: Abdallah Yehia UFLD: recently formed umbrella group including SLM commanders Other breakaway SLM commanders: Mahjoub Hussein, Jar el-Neby and Suleiman Marajan Estimated to be more than 13 rebel factions in DarfurKEY REBEL PLAYERS SLM: Minni Minnawi's faction signed 2006 peace deal SLM: Abdul Wahid Mohammad Ahmed al-Nur's faction rejected peace deal Jem: Khalil Ibrahim, one of the first rebel groups, rejected dealRebel negotiator: Suleiman Jamous SLM Unity: Abdallah Yehia UFLD: recently formed umbrella group including SLM commanders Other breakaway SLM commanders: Mahjoub Hussein, Jar el-Neby and Suleiman Marajan Estimated to be more than 13 rebel factions in Darfur
"The aim is for them to meet and to co-ordinate as much as possible their positions facing the negotiations, which we hope will start soon," he told the BBC."The aim is for them to meet and to co-ordinate as much as possible their positions facing the negotiations, which we hope will start soon," he told the BBC.
"This is in fact a major step, if this meeting turns out to be relatively successful, towards negotiations.""This is in fact a major step, if this meeting turns out to be relatively successful, towards negotiations."
But the exclusion of another rebel negotiator, Suleiman Jamous, who faces arrest if he leaves Darfur, has led to doubts about how much the talks can achieve.But the exclusion of another rebel negotiator, Suleiman Jamous, who faces arrest if he leaves Darfur, has led to doubts about how much the talks can achieve.
Mr Jamous' exclusion has been widely criticised by church leaders and politicians around the world.Mr Jamous' exclusion has been widely criticised by church leaders and politicians around the world.
'Killing''Killing'
The BBC's Karen Allen in Arusha says that this time around, negotiators will be under pressure to find an inclusive settlement.The BBC's Karen Allen in Arusha says that this time around, negotiators will be under pressure to find an inclusive settlement.
But Sudan analyst Julie Flint says the situation is much more complex than a rebellion against Khartoum's rule.But Sudan analyst Julie Flint says the situation is much more complex than a rebellion against Khartoum's rule.
"Darfur today is a multiplicity of conflicts... In looking at this as a government-rebel problem we're addressing the wrong problem," she told BBC Network Africa."Darfur today is a multiplicity of conflicts... In looking at this as a government-rebel problem we're addressing the wrong problem," she told BBC Network Africa.
"I would bet you money that most of the people who have died this year in Darfur have been Arab militias and government soldiers."I would bet you money that most of the people who have died this year in Darfur have been Arab militias and government soldiers.
"The worst fighting has been between Arab groups once armed by the government now fighting each other.""The worst fighting has been between Arab groups once armed by the government now fighting each other."
After months of wrangling, Sudan agreed to the UN resolution after it was watered down.After months of wrangling, Sudan agreed to the UN resolution after it was watered down.