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Sudan Tribune

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Arab resolution on Darfur calls for disarming of militias

CAIRO, Aug 9, 2004 (MENA) — The unanimously adopted resolution by Arab foreign ministers on Darfur crisis sets an example of regional and international coordination and cooperation between regional organizations and the UN.

The resolution embodies Arab-African cooperation as regards an important issue, Musa told a joint press conference with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Uthman Isma’il late on Sunday at the end of an Arab foreign ministers’ emergency meeting.

He pointed out that the resolution had been adopted in the presence of representatives for the African Union and the UN.

Musa expressed hope UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s report to the UN Security Council on Darfur on 30 August would reflect important steps taken to improve the situation in the area.

On his part the Sudanese official hailed the Arab League initiative to sort out Darfur crisis.

This is the first time the UN, AU [African Union] and AL to meet under the AL umbrella to discuss an issue of such importance, the Sudanese official told the press conference.

The AL Foreign Ministers’ Council expressed on Sunday deep concern over the latest developments in Darfur and the humanitarian crisis suffered by displaced Darfuris.

The council also spelt out deep concern over reports of violence involving civilians as well as human rights violations in the region.

In a resolution issued at the conclusion of their extraordinary meeting on Darfur, the Arab foreign ministers agreed that rebel militias should be cantoned in pre-specified areas and that Khartoum disarms militias under the supervision of the African Union.

They welcomed also the work of the independent investigation panel and assigned the Arab League General Secretariat to work with the government to boost the panel’s work.

The council called on all parties to abide by the cease-fire agreement signed on 8 March.

It also urged the two rebel groups in Darfur to resume peace talks with the Sudanese government without preconditions to reach a political solution to the crisis.

The ministers requested enough time to Khartoum to live up to its commitments.

They also exhorted donors and the UN to speed up financing the humanitarian needs of the displaced Darfuris as well as refugees in Chad.

The ministers called on Sudan’s neighbouring countries not to allow militias to settle in or launch any attacks from their territories.

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