In a speech two weeks ago, Mr. Bashir called on the anti-government Darfur rebels to "repent."

The Darfur rebels were not represented.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, in Abuja, Nigeria, the long-running peace talks between the government of Sudan and the Darfur rebels are scheduled to expire.

Peace talks between the government and two groups of Darfur rebels, held in Nigeria, produced a declaration of principles this week but no comprehensive settlement.

But Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, a Sudanese human rights leader, says the new talks will fail unless the Darfur rebels have a chance to consult first.

Earlier this month, Sudanese officials agreed to a cease-fire with Darfur rebels, but the deal was quickly violated.

These councils may have been inspired by Gordon's earlier, similar meeting with Darfur rebels in 1878.

Normalisation could also bolster peace negotiations in Doha, where Darfur rebels are to hold talks with the Sudanese government, Gration said.

But while Darfur rebels are holding peace talks with Khartoum, Chadian rebels say they have been left out in the cold.

The Misseriya denied responsibility and instead blamed the attack on Darfur rebels.