Darfur Peace and Development

November 16, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The US special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration started today a new visit to the country weeks after he left without succeeding in resolving dispute between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) centered around census results and referendum.

US special envoy Scott Gration (AFP)

The US state department said in a statement that Gration will visit Khartoum, Abyei, and Darfur. It said that in Abyei the US special envoy will review progress in implementing the border demarcation decision made last July by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

Gration will also fly to “El Fasher and Jebel Marra in Darfur to continue to support Darfuri armed movement unification and the Darfur peace process”.

It is not clear if Gration’s stop in Jebel Marra is a new bid to host a unification conference for commanders that have defected from Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur who resides in France.

The SLM has warned Gration that he will bear responsibility if he insists on venturing into areas controlled by their fighters without prior permission.

Sudan state media also reported that during the week-long visit Gration will discuss the preparations to resume the Doha peace talks between Darfur rebels and Khartoum.

He will meet with Sudan 2nd Vice president Ali Osman Taha, presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Al-Deen Attabani and foreign minister Deng Alor.

(ST)