South African Government welcomes Developments in Darfur Peace Talks

Pretoria – The South African government on Tuesday 7 August 2007 welcomed developments in the Darfur Peace Talks convened by the United Nations and African Union in Arusha, Tanzania from Friday - Monday 3-6 August 2007.

The South African government welcomes the commitment by all parties to implement the Road-Map outlined by the UN and African Union Special Envoys Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmed Salim

The South African government calls on Sudan Liberation Movement leader Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur, who currently resides in France, to return to Sudan to participate in this process.

The South African government also welcomes the commitment by the rebel groups to allow free access by humanitarian agencies to people affected by the conflict and their pledge to stop hostilities against aid organisations and African Union (AU) peacekeepers deployed in Darfur.

The South African government calls on the Darfur rebel groups and Sudanese government to successfully conclude negotiations scheduled to be held in three months.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

7 August 2007