Finnish Parliamentarian Pekka Haavisto (Green) is to go to Sudan at the request of the United Nations to make preparations for possible new peace talks between the Sudanese government and rebels in Darfur.
Haavisto was asked to go on the nearly two-week negotiation trip to Sudan and its neighbouring countries by UN Undersecretary-General Jean-Marie Guéhenno and Jan Eliasson, the special Darfur envoy of the UN Secretary-General.
During his trip, Haavisto plans to meet with both Sudanese government representatives in the capital Khartoum, as well as with commanders of various rebel groups in Darfur and across the border in Chad.
In Darfur, the rebels hide from government soldiers in parts of the desert that are difficult to access, to where Haavisto will be taken by helicopter.
Haavisto’s status will be that of a UN consultant, or "special advisor". His nearly two years as the European Union's special envoy to Sudan ended in late April.
During that time Haavisto travelled extensively in Sudan and its neighbouring countries, establishing close ties with all sides to the conflict.
Haavisto took part in the peace negotiations between Darfur’s rebels and the Sudanese government in 2005 and 2006.
