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Rebel snub threatens Darfur talks Rebel snub threatens Darfur talks
(about 5 hours later)
UN-African Union talks aimed at ending the four-year war in Sudan's Darfur region are due to open in Libya later on Saturday. UN-African Union talks aimed at ending the four-year war in Sudan's Darfur region are due to open in Libya, but have been hit by rebel pullouts.
But two of Darfur's main rebel groups have decided to boycott the talks in a row over invited factions, despite UN Security Council sanction threats. Two of Darfur's main rebel groups have decided to boycott the talks in a row over invited factions, despite UN Security Council sanction threats.
The absence of key rebel groups could mean the talks may have to be delayed, says the BBC's Amber Henshaw in Darfur.The absence of key rebel groups could mean the talks may have to be delayed, says the BBC's Amber Henshaw in Darfur.
Some 200,000 people have died and about 2m have been displaced in the conflict.Some 200,000 people have died and about 2m have been displaced in the conflict.
The mediation has fallen in the trap prepared by the government by making the negotiations an arena for every Jack, Tom and Harry Mohammed Bahr HamdeenJem Darfur deal a distant dream Sudan survivor link-up The Darfur rebel groups The mediation has fallen in the trap prepared by the government by making the negotiations an arena for every Jack, Tom and Harry Mohammed Bahr HamdeenJem Darfur deal a distant dream Sudan survivor link-up The Darfur rebel groups The fighting began in 2003 when rebels attacked government targets.
Sudan's government then launched a military and police campaign in Darfur.
A 2006 Darfur peace deal faltered because it was signed by the Sudanese government and only one rebel group.A 2006 Darfur peace deal faltered because it was signed by the Sudanese government and only one rebel group.
The latest talks will be hosted by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in the city of Sirte.
Opportunity
SLA-Unity and the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) decided not to attend after the UN and the AU - who are mediating the talks - invited other rebel groups they claim have little support, said Mohammed Bahr Hamdeen, a senior Jem leader.SLA-Unity and the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) decided not to attend after the UN and the AU - who are mediating the talks - invited other rebel groups they claim have little support, said Mohammed Bahr Hamdeen, a senior Jem leader.
Quick guide: Darfur
"The mediation has fallen in the trap prepared by the government by making the negotiations an arena for every Jack, Tom and Harry," Mr Hamdeen said."The mediation has fallen in the trap prepared by the government by making the negotiations an arena for every Jack, Tom and Harry," Mr Hamdeen said.
The UN's special envoy for Darfur, Jan Eliasson, continued to hold out some hope for the talks, at which he will be an official mediator.
"This is the first time in a very long time that we have a chance to start to talk about the concerns of the people of Darfur - the right to return to their villages, the need to stop the violence.
"That opportunity is here now. It might not be fully attractive, but it is the beginning of a process, and you must not miss this."
Camp protestCamp protest
The talks will be hosted by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in the city of Sirte, but correspondents say the official mediator is likely to be Finnish politician Pekka Haavisto, the EU's special representative to Sudan in 2005.
When the conflict broke out in 2003, SLA and Jem were the only two rebel movements. Now, there are at least 12.When the conflict broke out in 2003, SLA and Jem were the only two rebel movements. Now, there are at least 12.
Demonstrators protested against the talks in Abu Shouk, one of many refugee camps in Darfur, on Friday.Demonstrators protested against the talks in Abu Shouk, one of many refugee camps in Darfur, on Friday.
Many people in the camps are strongly opposed to the talks and doubt that the negotiations will lead to any concrete improvements on the ground, our correspondent says. Many Darfuris from different tribes are united in their support for the key rebel leader, Abdul Wahid.
Large numbers are also strongly opposed to the talks and doubt that the negotiations will lead to any concrete improvements on the ground, our correspondent says.
They seem to blindly back Abdul Wahid, she adds, even his decision not to attend the peace talks - which means that their voices will not be represented at the discussions.