"The African Union should not reward the sponsors of crimes against humanity," said Peter Takirambudde, Africa director of US-based Human Rights Watch. "How can the African Union be seen as a credible mediator in Darfur if one of the warring parties hosts its summit and becomes the head of the organisation as well?" With preliminary meetings beginning for next week's African Union (AU) summit in Khartoum (January 23), it is still undecided whether the host government will also chair the organization for the next year.