Darfur envoy urges peace agreement before 2011 when attention shifts to south Sudan referendum

Darfur envoy urges peace agreement by year’s end

UNITED NATIONS — The top international envoy in Darfur is urging all parties to reach a peace agreement before 2011 when attention will shift to the referendum on independence for south Sudan.

Ibrahim Gambari, the U.N. and African Union special representative, urged France to do more to bring the Paris-based leader of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement, Abdelwahid Elnur, to the negotiating table for a new round of talks in Qatar in June.

He also urged the rebel Justice and Equality Movement, which suspended participation in peace negotiations in early May in protest over alleged violations of a cease-fire agreement, to return to the talks.

Gambari reported to the U.N. Security Council Thursday on the situation in Darfur and then spoke to reporters.