(c) The leadership and the engagement of the African Union in addressing the situation in Darfur and its continued efforts to reinvigorate the peace talks between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Army Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement

(c) The leadership and the engagement of the African Union in addressing the situation in Darfur and its continued efforts to reinvigorate the peace talks between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Army Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement

In addition, joint action involving the Government, the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) and the African Union should be planned, in order to stop banditry and the bandits.

During the reporting period the principal rebel groups, the Sudanese Liberation Movement Army (SLM A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), fought with the Government army and or Janjaweed on at least seven occasions.

On the contrary, although the current negotiating process between the Government and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) should proceed, it would be useful to start thinking about including tribal leaders in the search for political solutions even before reconciliation has taken place.

The Government, JEM and the Sudan Liberation Movement Army have attended these talks.

Establishing consistent liaison with the Sudan Liberation Movement Army has been hampered by divisions within the group.

I urge the Government, SLM and JEM, with the support of SPLM, to resume negotiations in Abuja as a matter of the highest priority so that they can conclude a lasting agreement.

These AMIS patrols have reported that the SLM A commanders have attempted to justify their refusal to grant access on the grounds that AMIS was conducting espionage against SLM A, without attempting to substantiate the allegation.

Between 1998 and 1999, peace was broken again, when the situation in Kosovo worsened with continued clashes between Yugoslav security forces and the KLA.

Attendance at a high level by all parties will be important to ensure that decisions taken in Abuja are implemented.

At the request of AU, the United Nations provided air transportation to the talks for some delegates from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and SLM A, including a group of commanders from SLA.

UNMIS is supporting efforts aimed at ensuring a unified SLM position at the current round of talks.

However, renewed fighting between the Government of the Sudan and SLM A on 23 July threatens to complicate further the next round of talks.

(d) Rebel armed groups. They include forces of the Sudan Liberation Movement, the Justice and Equality Movement and the Movement for Reform and Development.

Contrary to many people's expectations, the Sudan Liberation Army did not launch an attack on the day of the signing of the peace agreement.

There also seems to be more confidence in the peace process among commanders of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) on the ground.

From there, I went to Asmara to consult with President Afwerki and all the Darfur groups the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), as well as with the Beja Congress and the Rashaida Free Lions of eastern Sudan.

In addition, fighting between the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement is affecting the security of several villages in the region.

This was swiftly followed by Government attacks on SLA positions in the same area.

Sufficient funds were expected to be received to finance disarmament and demobilization activities to be carried out with the Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Army (SPLM A), the two main parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Between the sixth and seventh rounds, the international community made several efforts to coordinate its actions and to mend the rift within SLM.

A sizeable proportion of these security incidents have been carried out by SLA elements the balance are attributable to bandits or militias.

Internal division within the SLM paralysed the talks for one week, during which discussions were limited to procedural rather than substantive matters.

Second, the fighting and resultant reactions to it reveal the growing divide within SLM A.

Divisions within the rebel movements, particularly SLM A, are likely to be a challenge during the talks.

The Government stated that it had used aircraft for observation during the attack and denied claims by SLA that it had struck villages from the air.

Parties that is, the Government, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice Equality Movement (JEM) negotiated seriously and with flexibility, discussing political issues rather than procedures and minor issues.

In addition, AMIS is now frequently confronted by local SLM A commanders who deny their patrols access to an increasing number of rebel held areas.

It demands the SLM A, the JEM and the Government of the Sudan to immediately cease violence, comply with the N'Djamena ceasefire agreement, end impediments to the peace process and cooperate fully with the African Union Mission.

As a result, this vaccination campaign was not able to reach people living in some areas where SLA is active.

This appeared to be the result of a lack of willingness of the negotiators of the Sudanese Liberation Movement Army and the Justice and Equality Movement, in particular genuinely to engage on these issues.

As stated in my report on Darfur dated 11 August 2005 (S 2005 523), the Government of the Sudan, the Sudan Liberation Movement Army (SLM A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) adopted a Declaration of Principles at Abuja on 5 July 2005.

You renew your witnesses against me, and increase your indignation on me. Changes and warfare are with me.

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me changes and war are against me.

In particular, he travelled to Darfur, where he impressed upon the Secretary General of SLM A, Mini Arkoy Minawi, the importance of his presence in Abuja.

SLM A also attacked the village of Wazazen, also in Southern Darfur, leading to the deaths of two villagers and the wounding of three others.

The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) attacked two convoys that were being escorted by Government security forces on 23 July on the Nyala El Fasher road.

The SLM A Sudan Liberation Movement Army and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) are also failing to abide by the commitments made under past agreements and are doing far too little to control their men under arms'.

Early in March, he travelled to Asmara together with his Principal Deputy to meet with the President of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki, and the leadership of SLM A and JEM.

(a) In particular the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Movement, to respect their obligations and comply with the provisions of the N'Djamena Ceasefire Agreement and its Humanitarian Protocol on the Establishment of Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur signed on 8 April 2004 between these groups and the Government of the Sudan

While some progress was made at the sixth round of talks, considerable time was lost in efforts to help resolve the internal leadership struggle within the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM).

I strongly urge SLM A to resolve its internal differences and to attend the sixth round of talks prepared to negotiate and reach agreement on the relevant substantive issues.

However, frequent Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) JEM, militia and bandit attacks on humanitarian convoys, in particular in Southern Darfur, continue to hamper efficient operations.

As Council members are aware, the AU led Abuja talks are aimed at reaching a political agreement between the Government and the two armed movements SLM A and JEM.