The head of the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) has informed the two delegations at the peace talks on Darfur that the negotiations are adjourned. The talks aim for agreement on a Declaration of Principles that would pave the way for a cessation of hostilities in the area.

The postponement of the talks was due engagements of the African Union chief mediator Thabo Mbeki, who said he will spend three days in Germany for a matter related to the talks.

Meanwhile, Dr. Amin Hassan Omar, the head of government delegation at the talks with the Darfur rebels, told the Sudanese News Agency (SUNA) that the African Union mediator gave options to the delegates either to remain in Addis Ababa or leave the venue of the talks until the talks resume on Thursday.

He said the talks will focus on how a cessation of hostilities agreement in Darfur can be reached.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Minni Arko Minawi, the leader of Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) said the talks are deadlocked.

Minni said that a unified delegation comprised of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) faction led by him presented a plan for a comprehensive solution on Darfur and participation in the National Dialogue.

The rebel leader further said the mediator understands the proposal, but the government delegation rejected it on the pretext that it was never mandated to negotiate such topics with the Darfur rebels.

He hinted that the government delegation intends to seek full mandate from the federal government in Khartoum during the short break given by the mediators.

The Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) is working out solutions for the Sudan crisis by incorporating all views including those of Adel Wahid Mohamed El Nur who is boycotting the peace talks, according to the SLA leader.