October 29, 2004

 Government and Darfur rebel negotiators men in Nigeria, but little is expected from these meetings. This is especially the case because the rebels are demanding separation of church (Islam) and state. The government has long considered itself an "Islamic nation" that follows Islamic law (Sharia). But the rebels, who are also Moslem, see this use of religion as a ploy by the Sudanese Arabs to oppress the non-Arab population.