Sudanese peace talks tabled for November

The Sudanese government and a splinter group of the Justice Equality Movement (JEM) will start peace talks on November 22, officials from the two sides said. The two sides held consultations in Doha from October 17 to 22 after they agreed to negotiate on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD). However, the rebel faction pointed out that they have to hold a general conference in November before the talks to elect a leader. Speaking to reporters in a press conference held in Doha on Tuesday the deputy chairman of the rebel group, Arko Dahiah, said the talks will begin on November 22 and stressed that it will be within the framework of DDPD. The State Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Qatari Prime Minister Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, who leads the Qatari mediation efforts, confirmed that "this step will achieve positive results towards peace and stability in Darfur, we are calling on all militant movements in Darfur to join the document." UNAMID acting Chief Aïchatou Mindaoudou Souleymane praised the Qatari peace efforts. And head of the Justice and Equality movement and head of the interim military council, Mohamed Abshar Ahmad, said: "Their movement came Doha to express their peace intentions which satisfy the needs of Darfur to achieve security and stability."