(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-24 02:52

ADDIS ABABA -- African Union (AU) special envoy for Darfur, Salim Ahmed Salim, arrived in Sudan for a week- long visit to further consult on the preparations for the upcoming negotiations on Darfur, the AU said Thursday.

In a statement, the pan-African body said the visit came shortly after that of his United Nations counterpart Jan Eliasson, and was a follow-up to the Arusha meeting of non-signatory parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), held early this month.

The statement said the special envoy has already started consultations in Khartoum with senior government officials of Sudan, including Foreign Minister Lam Akol and Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Services, Sallah Gosh.

He also held extensive consultations with the DPA signatories in Khartoum.

He is scheduled to meet with women's groups in Khartoum before leaving for El Fasher this coming Sunday, where he will meet with senior officials of the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS).

Salim will pay a courtesy call on the governor of North Darfur State, before traveling to Zallingeri, where he is scheduled to discuss the peace process with Darfurian leaders and civil society representatives.

On Monday, Salim will travel to the capital of West Darfur State, El Geneina, where he will meet with the governor, representatives of internally displaced Darfurians, leaders of civil society organizations and traditional authorities.

He will return to Khartoum on Tuesday, and brief the international community, including international nongovernmental organizations on his consultations in Darfur.