Sudanese government and rebel leaders from the war-torn region of Darfur agreed yesterday to sign two accords on the humanitarian and security crises in the western part of the country, delegates said. Sudanese Deputy Foreign Minister Najeib Abdel-Wahab told reporters, "What has been finalized is the security and humanitarian protocols." When asked if the Khartoum government would sign the documents, a major sticking point in negotiations in the Nigerian capital, the minister replied, "Yes."Spokesmen for the two rebel movements and African Union officials confirmed that the signing ceremony was to be arranged for later in the day. The signing of the two protocols marked a significant breakthrough in talks to resolve Darfur's 20-month-old civil conflict. Previously, the Khartoum government had refused to agree to a security protocol which would include a provision banning their aircraft from flying over Darfur. Delegates and AU officials said that Nigerian president and current AU chairman Olusegun Obasanjo had been invited to attend the signing ceremony at the Abuja international conference center, venue of the peace conference.
| Well, I'm surprised. I'm sure at least one side and probably both will proceed to break it, but it's a good sign. Fallout from who won the election, perhaps? |