United Nations Radio

An African Union panel on Darfur has just completed public hearings on the conflict in order to determine ways to speed up the peace process and create conditions for justice and reconciliation.

The Joint United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur, known as UNAMID, is in Darfur to protect thousands of civilians who have been displaced by conflict which broke out in 2003 between the Sudanese government forces and insurgents.

The AU Panel chaired by former South African President Thabo Mbeki met with representatives of political parties, civil society, rebel movements, ethnic communities and groups of internally displaced persons in both Khartoum and half a dozen towns across Darfur.

Meanwhile, the UN/African Union chief mediator for Darfur Djibril Bassole met with senior officials of the UN mission and with local officials to hear their views and consider options to move the peace process forward.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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