Vice President Taha to meet SLM Minwai over Darfur peace implementation

September 18, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha will meet tomorrow the leader of a former rebel faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement Minni Arcua Minawi to discuss Darfur peace implementation.

Minni Minawi left his palace office in the capital since more than three months to join his loyal troops in North Darfur to protest against the ill-implementation of a peace agreement signed with the Sudanese government on May 5, 2006.

Taha will fly Friday to Al-Fasher the capital of North Darfur state to discuss obstacles facing the Darfur Peace Agreement (DAP) implementation particularly the security arrangements and hasten his return to Khartoum to resume his duties as Senior Presidential Assistant.

The Vice President headed yesterday a meeting of the joint committee between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SLM – Minawi, where he reaffirmed government commitment to implement the DPA.

The meeting discussed ways to avoid in the future the recent military attacks carried by government troops against Minawi forces in North Darfur.

The parties also agreed on the need to move forward in the implementation of the peace agreement.

Wednesday meeting was also attended by the head of Sudanese security and Intelligence services, Salah Abdallah Gosh.

Last Sunday Minawi accused the army of attacking his troops based in Kolge, east of Jebel Marra. He further said his troops were forced to fight the government troops on self-defence basis. He further said that Sudanese troops killed three of his men and wounded other 16.

Minawi long disappearance has prompted speculations that he will suspend participation in the national unity government.

Among others, Minawi demand to include the DPA in the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of Sudan, and to represent his movement in the different national commissions.

However the NCP seeks to delay such move till the signing of a comprehensive peace deal with the non-signatory rebels, it also delays for the same reason the militias’ disarmament. While Minawi fears for his future and asks for guarantees if Khartoum signs a peace deal with the rebel movements.

(ST)