THERE is light at the end of a dark tunnel. The problem of Darfur could be resolved, without compromising the unity and integrity of Sudan. An optimistic feeling that the nightmare in the western part of this Arab country might soon come to an end emerged after President Hosni Mubarak received at the weekend members of the African Union's Darfur Committee. The AU's talks in Cairo were led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki and Burundi's former President Pierre Buyoya, who were impressed with President Mubarak's suggestion for supporting international and regional efforts to consolidate peace in Darfour and also southern Sudan. Cairo believes that any peacemaking mechanism should give special attention to the unity of the Sudanese people and the sovereignty of their land. Stressing that steps are swiftly being taken to improve the lot of the Sudanese people after decades of wars of attrition, South Africa's former President told a press conference that the committee also wants to implement peace agreements on the ground between northern and southern Sudan. Peace efforts in Sudan gained momentum ahead of the Sudanese presidential elections in April this year, when the Council of the Arab League, led by Secretary-General Amr Moussa, inspected infrastructure projects in different areas of Darfur. The visit, in which many NGOs active in Darfur took part, highlighted the great support Sudan is getting from its sister Arab countries, in a bid to achieve peace there. Taking into consideration the fact that these extensive regional efforts have been happening in the run-up to the presidential elections in Sudan, the Sudanese people will undoubtedly rally behind candidates who pledge to consolidate their country's unity and sovereignty.
