 Mediators in peace talks on Sudan's Darfur region on Sunday presented the warring parties with a detailed ceasefire proposal designed to work better than an existing, often violated agreement.
| "Now longer, lower, leaner, wider, with more road-hugging weight and 40 percent more cheese!" |
The African Union (AU), which has 7,000 peacekeepers in Darfur and is mediating peace talks in the Nigerian capital Abuja, said demilitarisation of humanitarian supply routes and of displaced persons' camps were key elements of the plan. "Our proposals are fair, workable and in compliance with the previous commitments entered into by the parties," the AU's chief mediator Salim Ahmed Salim told the parties, according to an AU statement. "If any party refuses to sign the enhanced humanitarian ceasefire agreement, we will have no option but to conclude that it is not interested in peace and the well-being of the people of Darfur," Salim said.
| Uhuh. And what will you do then, Ollie? |
The AU and the United Nations are increasing pressure on the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels to speed up peace talks. On Friday, the AU extended its mission in Darfur until September 30 and set a deadline of end-April for the peace talks to conclude. |