This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7064684.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Sudan calls Darfur truce at talks | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Sudan has announced a unilateral ceasefire in Darfur to coincide with the opening of talks in Libya to try to end the four-year war. | |
| A Sudanese presidential adviser made the announcement as the talks got under way in the city of Sirte. | |
| However, two of the main rebel groups have boycotted the talks in a row over invited factions, despite a threat of UN Security Council sanctions. | |
| 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. |
| Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir had said last month he was prepared to call a truce for the talks. | |
| At the Sirte gathering, Sudanese presidential adviser Nafie Ali Nafie said: "We announce a ceasefire from this moment, and we will respect it unilaterally." | |
| 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 Hamdeen,Jem class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7063673.stm">Darfur deal a distant dream class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7063331.stm">Sudan survivor link-up class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7039360.stm">The Darfur rebel groups However, several ceasefires have previously been agreed and none has ended the violence. | |
| The African Union envoy for Darfur opened proceedings by saying the talks were a new opportunity for the region. | |
| "Today marks another milestone in our collective search for peace in Darfur," Salim Ahmed Salim said. | |
| "The journey has been long, arduous and extremely challenging. And the results... have been mixed. But today we are here in this historic city of Sirte for another new beginning." | "The journey has been long, arduous and extremely challenging. And the results... have been mixed. But today we are here in this historic city of Sirte for another new beginning." |
| Fighting in Darfur began in 2003 when rebels attacked government targets. | |
| Sudan's government then launched a military and police campaign in Darfur. | |
| A 2006 peace deal faltered because it was signed by the Sudanese government and only one rebel group. | |
| The latest talks are being hosted by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. | |
| 'Trap' | |
| Both the SLA-Unity and the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) groups 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. | Both the SLA-Unity and the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) groups 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 | 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. | 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," he said. | |
| 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 Darfuris from different tribes are united in their support for the key rebel leader, Abdul Wahid. | 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, says the BBC's Amber Henshaw, in Darfur. | Large numbers are also strongly opposed to the talks and doubt that the negotiations will lead to any concrete improvements on the ground, says the BBC's Amber Henshaw, in Darfur. |
| 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. | 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. |