The next peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and Darfur movements might be decisive.

 The importance of these talks stems from the fact that this conflict has become a matter of concern for regional and international parties, starting from Abuja in May 2005, to Arusha, through Tripoli, Riyadh and Paris.

The Arusha final communiqué considered the agreement of these movements to end hostilities and to commit themselves to a road map for peace as a huge step forward.

AU's Optimism 

The spokesperson of the African Union in Sudan, Nur Al Dein Al Mazenni, was optimistic on the possibility of a political breakthrough.

Criticisms 

But Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nur played down the significance of the Arusha talks. 

 He accused the movements that took part in the meeting of not being credible. 

 He criticized the road map put forward by the United Nations and the African Union.

 The Sudanese government welcomed the agreement reached by the Darfur movements to adopt a unified negotiating stance.

 It urged the international community to punish the movements that will not take in part in the next peace negotiations, whose venue is yet to be determined.

More efforts

Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardeit has taken the initiative to invite the movements which took part in Arusha to meet in Rumbek to complete the next steps

Concerned parties continue to exert efforts aimed at achieving a breakthrough.

The first Vice President Lt.-General Salva Kiir Mayardeit has taken the initiative to invite the movements which took part in Arusha to meet in Rumbek to complete the next steps.

 The United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting next Thursday to discuss the outcome of the Arusha meeting.

 Meanwhile, calls continue to Abdel Wahid to joint the peace process.

 All of these efforts present Khartoum with difficult options.

 Despite its acceptance of the deployment of the hybrid UN/AU forces in Darfur, the international community wants it to do more.