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KENYA: Talks deadlock could slow IDP returns - officials

The suspension of talks between Kenya's key political parties, announced on 8 April, could slow or halt progress made in returning thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes, humanitarian officials said. "This [the suspension of talks] could mean that the process established to make the plans necessary for the return of IDPs could slow down or be put on hold," Jeanine Cooper, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Kenya (OCHA-Kenya), said. ...

UGANDA: Rebel leaders visit expected to boost peace process

The first official visit to the Ugandan capital by members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has raised hopes among people affected by two decades of conflict in the north of the country that lasting peace could be within reach. "The visit gives us hope," said Monsignor Matthew Odongo the vicar-general of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Gulu, one of the northern Uganda districts most affected by the LRA insurgency. "We are looking at its outcome as an expedited peace process and an...

SUDAN: Unarmed Darfur groups demand role at peace talks

SIRTE Civil society representatives from Darfur have called for a greater role in ongoing peace efforts and uniting the parties to the conflict in the western Sudanese region as talks continued on 29 October in the Libyan town of Sirte. "We are happy to be here as representatives of civil society although our status is still uncertain," Safaa Al-Aagib Adam, the secretary-general and gender advisor of the Community Development Association, told IRIN. "We need a more conducive environment." ...

SUDAN: Southern leaders in talks to salvage unity government

Leaders of the two major coalition partners in the Sudanese government of national unity were meeting in the capital, Khartoum, on 18 October to try to resolve a stalemate surrounding participation by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), sources said. "Discussions are going on between the First Vice-President and President of Southern Sudan [Salva Kiir Mayardit] and President [Omar el] Bashir," Southern Sudan Information Minister Samson Kwaje said. "Nothing much will happen until...

SUDAN: Darfur peace talks set for 27 October in Libya

Peace talks between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels on ending over four and a half years of conflict are to start on 27 October in Tripoli, Libya, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said. "After consultations with the parties, chairperson of the AU [Africa Union] Alpha Konare and I have decided that the negotiations should begin in Libya on Saturday 27 October under the lead of the AU-UN special envoys who will continue to work in close coordination with the countries of the...

SUDAN: Fresh attacks on humanitarian staff hamper relief efforts in Darfur

Gunmen have stepped up attacks on aid workers and food convoys in Sudan’s Darfur region, disrupting relief aid to millions of people, according to agencies. Incidents include the harassment of humanitarian workers, abductions and commandeering of vehicles. The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said humanitarian staff from UN agencies and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had difficulty distributing food in Darfur because of the attacks. “Carjacking and robbery of UN and NGO...

With pressure from France, Chad and Sudan open door to possible troop deployment

After meeting Sunday with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Chadian President Idriss Dby opened the door to the possible deployment of United Nation (UN) or European Union (EU) troops to Chads volatile eastern region. Yesterday, Kouchner met with Sudans President Omar al-Bashir. Until Sunday, Chad had rejected the idea of allowing military troops in to assist with security at its border with Sudan. In Chads eastern region, the government has been fighting an insurgency, which it claims...

SUDAN-UGANDA: LRA talks, pencils and helicopters

Progress at the peace talks between the Ugandan government and the rebel Lords Resistance Army (LRA) depends on skillful mediation, willingness among the parties to reach a deal, credible monitoring, sound technical advice and a range of other diplomatic niceties and military finesse. And pencils. Plus helicopter flights. Like everything in Sudan, its a logistics operation everything is expensive, said an official close to the process. A low-key but hectic operation has been running since...