I had the misfortune of meeting Abdel Wahid al Nur at his home in Nairobi last year. He has been flattered by the attentions of the world community from George Bush to George Clooney. I remember him holding a letter from President Bush and spitting on his finger to see if he could smudge the signature to check whether Bush had actually signed it, as if it was a miraculous totem. Abdel Wahid needs to be brought down to earth.

Even if every single one of his demands is met he will most likely come with another one. There is no reward for him in having an agreement, because then he will need actually to prove his abilities as a politician and administrator and these qualities are completely absent in his character. When peace comes he will be tested and the people of Darfur will realise what Abdel Wahid is really capable of — or not.

According to the BBC, Abdel Wahid al Nur refused to be party to talks in Tanzania without a ceasefire currently in place. Do you believe that is really all that is needed to pull al Nur into negotiations?

If the rebels who met in Tanzania brought Wahid al Nur to the table, what would his influence mean?

You stated that it is unlikely for the GoS to consent to whatever was agreed upon by the rebel leaders meeting in Tanzania. If Al Nur were to attend talks, do you believe he would make demands taking the rebels even farther from reaching common ground with the GoS?