Addis Ababa, 1 February 2009 -- Since his appointment in June 2008, the African Union / United Nations Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur, Mr. Djibril Yipènè Bassolé, has been conducting extensive consultations with all of the parties and various stakeholders to the conflict in Darfur, as part of his efforts to facilitate peace talks. To this end, he reiterates his commitment to continue to work with all of the parties in an inclusive dialogue, to find a lasting peaceful solution to the crisis.

The Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur calls upon the Darfurian armed movements to consult each other and to work together to create the conditions for peace negotiations, to help resolve the crisis and alleviate the suffering of Darfurians. He further urges all parties to refrain from any acts that could jeopardise the on-going peace efforts and, instead, to engage constructively in the search for solutions.