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PRESS RELEASE No. 40

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

President Obasanjo Receives the Sudanese Parties

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday Saturday 26 March 2006, received in audience, separately, the Heads of Delegation of the Sudanese Parties - the Government of the Sudan (GoS), the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

The meetings which took place in the Presidential Villa, were also attended by the Head of the AU Mediation Team, Ambassador Sam B. Ibok, accompanied by Mr Boubou Niang, Political Adviser to the African Union Special Envoy and Chief Mediator Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, and Acting Coordinator of the Wealth Sharing Commission.

President Obasanjo and the Sudanese Parties exchanged views on the outstanding issues in the three negotiation frameworks (the Wealth Sharing, Power Sharing and Security Arrangements Commissions), and the ways and means to overcome the difficulties encountered.

The President underscored his continued commitment to assist the Sudanese Parties to reach a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, so as to bring the suffering of the people of Darfur to an immediate end. He urged the Parties to demonstrate an even greater spirit of give and take, especially as the Talks have entered a final and critical stage, adding that there was no other viable option for achieving peace in Darfur, than a negotiated political settlement.

Abuja, 26 March 2006

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