Sudan’s SPLM to present plan to resolve Darfur crisis
Oct 12, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan People’s Liberation Movement intends to present a settlement plan to the Darfur negotiating parties aimed at bringing closer the divergent views and resolving the Darfur crisis, the Independent Al-Ayam revealed.
The SPLM is also preparing to present the plan to its partners in power in advance to its passing by the Council of Ministers.
According to Al-Ayyam, the broad headlines of the plan had been drawn up during the lifetime of former SPLM leader, John Garang.
The settlement plan had not undergone any fundamental alterations as most of its clauses, regarding resolving the issues of power and wealth sharing on the federal and state levels in addition to the security arrangements remained.
The SPLM’s plan suggests giving Darfur a 70-per-cent share of power in the state of Darfur, a model akin to the one implemented in the south.
In addition, and after taking into account the percentage of inhabitants, Darfur would be given an eight per cent share in federal power.
The plan further suggests that in case ruling National Congress (NC) refused these percentages then they should give Darfur a four per cent share out of the 14 per cent allocated to the political parties in the federal power structure.
In addition, a 50 per cent share of the state’s resources would go to the state government following the Naivasha model.
The plan however excluded the possibility of granting Darfur State the right to self-determination and the separation of religion and the state as it considered these issues were agreed upon by different political forces in the Naivasha agreement.
The SPLM also suggests security arrangements similar to those agreed upon in the south.
A few days before his death; Dr Garang had sent the prominent SPLM leader, Yasir Arman, to negotiate with leaders of the Darfur movements in Nairobi.
The two main rebel groups from the Sudanese region of Darfur called Friday Sept 23, 2005 for the former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to be included in African Union attempts to end their war with the Khartoum government.
SPLM member Pagan Amoum said to the pro-government news service SMC that his movement should not involve directly in Abuja talks however it would play significant role to narrow the gap of differences between the disputed parties.
(ST)