Darfur peace talks delayed

ABUJA – The African Union has recommended a four-day postponement of peace talks over Sudan’s Darfur region after a transport mix-up left delegates stranded across the continent.

The AU-sponsored talks between the rebels and the government come against a backdrop of the imminent deployment of thousands more troops to monitor renewed fighting in Darfur, where 1,5 million people have been driven from their homes. UN officials said they feared an end to the rainy season could lead to fresh fighting and urged governments to do more to help speed African Union troops to the troubled area.Rebels and AU officials traded blame over who was responsible for failing to airlift rebel negotiators from Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia and Chad to the talks in the Nigerian capital, which analysts say have little chance of success.A previous round collapsed last month without an agreement on the conflict, which the United Nations says has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.After a 30-minute opening ceremony, which went ahead despite the absence of several senior rebel delegates, the AU special envoy for Darfur, Hamid al-Gabid, suggested formal talks should begin today.Delegates are expected to hold preliminary consultations on the agenda and timetable on Friday.- Nampa-ReutersUN officials said they feared an end to the rainy season could lead to fresh fighting and urged governments to do more to help speed African Union troops to the troubled area.Rebels and AU officials traded blame over who was responsible for failing to airlift rebel negotiators from Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia and Chad to the talks in the Nigerian capital, which analysts say have little chance of success.A previous round collapsed last month without an agreement on the conflict, which the United Nations says has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.After a 30-minute opening ceremony, which went ahead despite the absence of several senior rebel delegates, the AU special envoy for Darfur, Hamid al-Gabid, suggested formal talks should begin today.Delegates are expected to hold preliminary consultations on the agenda and timetable on Friday.- Nampa-Reuters