Chinese special envoy to Darfur concludes visit to Sudan

Chinese Special Envoy to Darfur Liu Guijin concluded his five-day visit to Sudan on Wednesday, as it coincided with intensive moves on the Darfur conflict file and the approaching south Sudan referendum slated for January 2011.

During his visit, Liu held talks with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Luka Biong, State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Mutrif Siddiq and Sudanese government official in charge of the Darfur file Ghazi Salahuddin.

The Sino-Sudanese talks focused mainly on the developments in the Darfur conflict, both at the political and security levels, and the relation between north and south Sudan, especially with regard to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and south Sudan referendum arrangements.

Concerning the Darfur issue, Liu reiterated China's support to the peaceful settlement through Doha forum and urged the Darfur armed movements, who rejected the negotiations, to abandon their stance and join the peace talks.

"To remain outside the political process, wherever they are, whatever strong they feel themselves to be, is not a good choice, because that is not serving the interest of the people," said Liu.

"The crisis, the problem of Darfur, has been there for too long. ..We appeal to those who are still remaining outside the political process to join that political process," he added.

He also commended the normalization of relations between Sudan and Chad, regarding the move as a positive development that would contribute to the improvement of the security situation in the region.

As for the relation between north and south Sudan, Liu recommended the CPA parties, namely the National Congress Party ( NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), to work together to solve the problems on the way and make compromises for the benefit of the people.

"We hope and we believe that the Sudanese could resolve the problems on the way to peace and political settlement. We hope that the relevant parties, particularly the two parties of the CPA, through their negotiations and through talks and making mutual compromise, could resolve the problems on the way and have a smooth referendum," he said.

The Sudanese government, meanwhile, regarded the visit of the Chinese envoy as a new opportunity to confirm the course of the strategic relation between Khartoum and Beijing, particularly in the coming period where Sudan counts much on the Chinese support for Sudan's current issues.

"Sudan counts much on China to accomplish many challenges in the coming period," Director of the Asian Department at the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fadl Abdalla Fadl told Xinhua.

"There are political issues representing challenges for the future of Sudan, top of them the referendum and the efforts of peaceful settlement to the Darfur crisis, and therefore, to face these challenges, we need the support of our friends in China," he added.

Liu also participated in a retreat meeting, organized by the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in El Fasher, North Darfur State.

The meeting, which brought together special envoys to Sudan and representatives of regional and international organizations, discussed the latest developments in the Darfur issue together with means and ways to enhance the Darfur political process and the coordination between Sudan government and UNAMID to ensure delivery of humanitarian assistance to the needy.

Source: Xinhua