Southern SSDF leader in talks with Sudanese President

KHARTOUM, Aug 2, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The president of the republic today, at the Guest House, met the commander in-chief of the Southern Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF), Maj-Gen Paulino Matip.

In a statement to the radio after the meeting, Paulino said they had gone to give their condolences to the president of the republic following the death of the first vice-president of the republic, John Garang.

He stressed that the death of Garang was natural and predestined and should be accepted.

He appealed to the Sudanese people to be brave and patient, and work on the peace and unity programmes.

Paulino condemned the troublemakers and irresponsible activities of some citizens in Khartoum State yesterday.

In his statement, Paulino also condoled with the new leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service