Sudanese vice president, rebel leader resume peace talks to end 21-year civil war

NAIROBI, April 28, 2004 (AP) — Sudan’s government and southern rebel group leaders resumed talks in Kenya Wednesday to end the country’s 21-year civil war.

Chief mediator Lazaro Sumbeiywo told The Associated Press he met separately with Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha and John Garang, the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army to discuss “all the outstanding issues.”

These include details of power sharing during a six-year transition period, the administration of three disputed areas in central Sudan and whether the capital, Khartoum, should be governed under Islamic law, Sumbeiywo said.

The two parties have been in talks since January, but have made little progress. April 16, negotiators called in mediators to help break the deadlock, and the next day Taha returned to Khartoum to consult with President Omar el-Bashir.

Garang left the talks last week, but returned Wednesday. The negotiations in Naivasha, 60 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, are being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, a regional body that includes many of Sudan ‘s neighbors.

Rebel spokesman Yasir Arman said the insurgents were determined to reach a final deal.

“We think it is possible and we are hoping the other party will be positive and both of us will be able to finalize the agreement,” Arman said.

Sudanese government officials weren’t available for comment.

Taha and rebel leader John Garang have been negotiating an end to Africa’s longest-running conflict since last September. More than 2 million people have died, mainly through war-induced famine.

Agreements so far have included what to do with rebel and government forces during a six-year transition period and how to divide wealth in what is Africa’s largest country.