Sudan official says peace imminent

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec 11, 2003 (UPI) — Sudan’s foreign minister Mustafa Ismail said a peaceful settlement for Sudan’s protracted civil war has become imminent.

Speaking in an interview with the Saudi daily Okaz, Ismail said under an initial peace agreement President Omar Hassan al-Bashir will remain in his post during a transitional six-year period, and John Garang, chief of the separatist Sudan People Liberation Army, would be his deputy.

“The government during the transitional period will comprise representatives of most political powers in Sudan,” Ismail said, denying any U.S. pressures to speed up the peace process.

“The United States is participating positively as a sponsor of the peace process along with the European Union and African parties,” he said.

After the transitional period, a referendum will be held under U.N. supervision to decide the fate of southern Sudan, whether it would secede or remain part of Sudan.

The United States, which is sponsoring Sudanese peace talks in Kenya, predicted a peace agreement would be sealed before the end of the year.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Charles Snider said there is a genuine desire by both parties to achieve peace although controversial issues, including sharing public wealth, were still pending.