Peace talks may be suspended if stalemate continues: official

NAIVASHA, Kenya, May 3, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — A member of the government negotiating delegation at the Naivasha peace talks, Amin Hassan Omar, has hinted at the possibility of suspending the current peace talks if the current stalemate continues, the Khartoum based Al Ayam said.

He also disclosed that they have accepted some of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace proposals and rejected others.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, he said, “the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is demanding from us things that are contrary to those we had agreed upon concerning the national capital.” He stressed this would not help them reach a peace agreement, unless the SPLM returns to an objective framework.

Omar said that there still existed outstanding issues concerning the ratio of representation in both regions, Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile, as well as the issue of the capital. He said major issues were still outstanding. However, he said, “in some of the issues, progress has been made towards unifying stands.”

He blamed the rebel movement for the delays in the talks, explaining that the IGAD proposal was not given to the chairmen of the committees, Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and SPLM leader John Garang, but to the technical committees.