Sudan government shifts focus away from Doha talks

The government announced that the Doha Platform is still the only place where it has agreed to conduct negotiations with the Darfur rebels. It said that the platform should adapt to overcome the problems that have emerged in recent months, and in particular the continuing divisions and variability within the rebel movements. The strategy recently put forward by the govermnet explains that to achieve comprehensive peace, security and development in Darfur, the government and its partners expect to shift the center of gravity of the peace process toward domestic work for peace, in a manner designed to meet the needs of the citizens of Darfur, and allow them full participation.The new strategy has been described by political and rebel opponents as “peace through force.” The talks at Doha, which resulted in some gains in 2009 and early 2010, have stalled in recent months due to boycotts by factions led by exiled rebel leaders.