UN launches talks to try to solve Sudan’s political deadlock: A UN mission yesterday began a series of separate meetings with civil society groups and the military, designed to stabilize the country following the army’s October takeover. The UN’s envoy to Sudan told journalists the talks were not formal negotiations, but rather “consultations” aimed at building confidence, reducing violence and eventually finding “some consensus” to ease the stalemate between protestors and the military.

Some of Sudan’s key protest groups have rejected the talks, demanding that the military first cede power.

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