Mediator calls on Sudan rebels to join talks

The head of the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur Mohamed ibn Chambas called on rebel groups to sign the Doha document and engage in direct talks with the Sudanese government in order to end the 10-year long conflict in Darfur. Rebel groups including Justice and Equality Movement t led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) and Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) say they want a holistic process to discuss the Sudanese crisis, pointing out that  the Darfur conflict is an expression of a more national problem. Speaking at the inaugural session of the consultation meeting Arusha, Chambas welcomed the two delegations of JEM and SLM-MM who responded positively to his invitation, stressing their attendance would help all parties to appreciate each other and build mutual trust. Chambas also stressed the need to end the conflict for the sake of civilians who have been the main victims. The Arusha consultations are the first meeting between non signatory rebel groups and the mediation since the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in July 2013 that only JEM took part in.