Brussels, 21/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - Following the agreement for a cease-fire in Darfur in the Sudan, CFSP High Representative Javier Solana wrote to the president of the commission of the African Union, Alpha Oumar Konaré, announcing the EU's decision to provide several observers. The observers were beginning to arrive on the ground. One of the observers will be vice president of the cease-fire commission (EUROPE 17 June p 9).
In a press statement Mr Solana underlined that EU Member States had rapidly decided to participate in the observer mission as, "the consolidation of the cease fire is crucial". The latter also said, "cooperation launched with the African Union is an important new development step in the management of conflicts in Africa. The creation of this monitoring mechanism of the Darfur cease-fire is a tangible result of this cooperation".