Darfur peace talks open in Abuja

Peace talks concerning the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan were held on Monday after delegates finally arrived. The meetings were to be held this past Thursday, but due to scheduling errors, the delegates arrived late in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. Meetings were held in September between the Sudanese government and the two rebel groups responsible for the conflict. However, the meetings failed as the rebelling groups declined to sign a humanitarian protocol. Over 1.5 million people have been displaced in Darfur with over 70,000 deaths due to illness and malnutrition. The European Union has agreed to provide $100 million for the relief fund, and the African Union will be sending 3,000 troops to stabilize the situation.