Kufuor calls for compromises to end Darfur conflict

>From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou, Dec. 20, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday called on the people of Sudan to make the needed compromises for peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Darfur region. He said the rest of Africa was anxious to see a quick end to the pain and suffering of those in that restive area. President Kufuor was speaking when the Sudanese President, Mr Omar Al-Bashir, paid a courtesy call on him at his Villa in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou.

The two leaders were among several African Heads of State attending the inauguration of Burkinabe President Blaise Campaore for a third five-year term under his country Fourth Republic. President Kufuor said Ghana was determined to support the process of restoring normalcy to the Darfur area and that it was on the basis of this that it had sent a team of police officers to that country on peace keeping duties.

He said with the recent discovery of oil fields in that country, it had become even more necessary for the people to live in harmony so that they could exploit the natural resource for the benefit of all. The Sudanese President briefed President Kufuor on the situation in his country, especially as they prepared towards the celebration of their 50th Anniversary next year.

Sudan would also be hosting the next ordinary session of the African Union, also in 2006.