UNION AFRICAINE

UNIأO AFRICANA
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Tel: (251-11) 551 3822 Fax: 551 9321
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PRESS RELEASE NO. 8

7TH ROUND OF THE INTER-SUDANESE PEACE TALKS ON THE
CONFLICT IN DARFUR

AU Special Envoy and Chief Mediator Meets Women from Darfur

The AU Special Envoy and Chief Mediator, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim yesterday met with more than ten women from the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) attending the Seventh Round of the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks on Darfur taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, as members of their respective Movements’ delegations.

In a wide-ranging, open and constructive discussion, the women informed the Chief Mediator of the suffering of the women of Darfur on account of the ravages of the war and the large-scale situation of insecurity prevailing in the region. In this regard, they stated that they were weary of war, and wanted peace and security in Darfur as well as a better future for the Sudan as a whole. They also told him of their determination to be more actively engaged in the search for a lasting solution to the conflict, and their desire to participate more effectively in the on-going peace negotiations.

The Chief Mediator stressed that women should be fully involved in everything to do with peace in Darfur. Referring to his appeal to the Parties at the closing of the Sixth Round to include more women in their respective delegations, he underscored that while there were more women in the delegations for the present Round, more efforts ought to be made to increase their number. Women had an equal responsibility to help end the conflict, and their perspectives should be brought to bear on the issues being discussed in the Peace process, he said. The Chief Mediator also underlined the need to be forward-looking in approaching these issues, and to keep the focus on durable peace and sustainable development.

Dr. Salim assured the women that the AU and the International Community would continue to support them in their quest for peace in Darfur and the whole Sudan. The presence of the AU and its partners in Abuja is evidence of their commitment to achieve this objective.

Abuja, 12 December 2005