Multitude of Sudanese people cheer SPLA delegation
KHARTOUM, Dec 06, 2003 (dpa) — Hundreds and thousands of Sudanese people lined the Khartoum airport road to cheer a delegation of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) as it arrived on its first visit to Khartoum on Friday.
The secretary general of the Sudan’s main opposition group of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Pagan Amoum, is leading the 10- member mission. Amoum had been a key rebel player during all rounds of peace talks with the government.
Amoum is accompanied by diplomats from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Kenya and Libya, who arrived aboard a Libyan airliner from Tripoli.
A statement distributed by the rebels upon their arrival said the peace processes was gaining momentum at this crucial time as the two sides are currently holding talks on the remaining issues of wealth, power sharing and the three contested areas in order to sign a comprehensive deal.
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Isamel expressed hope that the visit would rebuild confidence between the government and southern rebels and create an opportunity for the SPLA to learn about developments, especially in the field of economy.
The visit was a request made by Sudanese First Vice President Ali Osman Taha to SPLA leader John Garang de Mabior during the last round of peace talks held in Naivasha, Kenya in September.
It was the first time in the history of the government-held areas that the SPLA flag was lifted high in the sky. Cheering crowds of people mostly from the south, west and east celebrated by slaughtering a bull.
Joseph Malwal, minister of aviation and chairman of United Democratic Salvation Front said he hoped the visit would help in realizing a just and comprehensive peace.
The cabinet for south Sudan, whose chairman did not appear at the airport, considered it a positive path to clearing away all fears and disputes in the hearts of warring parties. The cabinet further expressed interest in sending delegates to rebel-controlled areas in the south to assure people there its interest in peace.
The situation at the airport was disorderly. People in the exuberant crowd hoisted rebel chief of security Edward Lino and two SPLA spokesman, Samson Kwahe and Yasser Saeed Arman, on their shoulders.
The crowd broke windows of the VIP reception hall prepared for the guests in their attempt to greet the delegation by hand. People chanted, “Long live SPLA, long live New Sudan”.
The Sudanese assistant to President Mubarak al-Fadhel received the delegation at the airport, but key government figures did not turn up.
Other opposition members were present, including Minister of Information and Communication Ibrahim Zahawi.
The opposition Umma Party welcomed the visit, saying it is a step forward in the achievement of a long-lasting solution to the issue of war between south and north Sudan.