Sudanese president to hold talks with Nigerian counterpart

Dec 18, 2005 (ABUJA) — The presidential adviser, who is also head of the government delegation at the Abuja peace talks, Majdhub al-Khalifah Ahmad, has said that the president Omar al-Bashir, would hold talks with his Nigerian counterpart, Olusegun Obasanjo, at the beginning of an African tour.

Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir receives his Nigerian counterpart, Olusegun Obasanjo at Khartoum airport at the end of 2004.

The two leaders will discuss matters of mutual interest and the peace process in Sudan, as well as, Sudan’s preparations for hosting AU summit in January.

President Al-Bashir will begin official visit to Nigeria on 19 December.

The presidential adviser, Majdhub al-Khalifah, has said President Al-Bashir’s visit to Nigeria on 19 December is a normal visit, adding that the two leaders do meet and exchange views from time to time.

In a statement to the Sudanese radio, Al-Khalifah said al-Bashir would make a stopover at Burkina Faso to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Burkina Faso president who won presidential elections.

The presidential adviser said that President Al-Bashir will discuss with President Obasanjo issues of mutual interest, on top of which is the Khartoum summit for AU, peace process, strengthening of AU and its support.

He expressed his hope that the visit will give greater impetus to the relations between the two countries, particularly when President Obasanjo is hosting and overseeing the ongoing Sudanese peace process in Nigeria.

(ST)