In an exceptional move, the African Union (AU) declared that Sudan would not take up the presidency of the regional body, as had been expected.

Sudan was the only nomination for the position and, as the expected future president, hosted the meeting from 23-24 January.

Anti-Slavery International, as part of The Darfur Consortium, a coalition of African and international NGOs, has been campaigning against the nomination given the Sudan Government's role in human rights violations in Darfur.

Since 2003, government-backed Janjaweed militias have systematically raided villages. An estimated two million people have been displaced and 300,000 killed in raids that are disturbingly similar to the slave raids that plagued southern Sudan for decades.

In an unusual move, the AU formed a special committee to decide the question of its presidency. Pressure from governments and NGOs led it
to postpone Sudan's candidacy. Congo-Brazzaville will head the AU
until 2007.