Workshop to be held for ceasefire modalities with the participation of UK-US experts

KHARTOUM, June 18, 2004 (SUNA) — A workshop will commence in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Monday to discuss arrangements and procedures of the comprehensive ceasefire between the government and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, with the participation of military experts from the two parties.

Experts from Britain, USA, Zimbabwe and the joint military commission in Nuba Mountains will participate in the workshop. A member of the government’s delegation to the peace negotiations Dr Amin Hasan Omar, told SUNA that the experts would give lectures during the five-day workshop on cease-fire issues and the procedures and arrangements to be undertaken in this connection.

The workshop would tackle such issues as disengagement of forces and the monitoring mechanism and locations of its deployment. Dr Omar further said that the two parties would then move to Naivasha, Kenya, on June 25 to start security and military negotiations, which will be followed by a meeting of the political committee to discuss implementation of the six protocols, political arrangements and details of implementation of agreements on sharing of wealth and power.

This indicates that the session will last till 19 July. Dr Omar explained that agreement on the comprehensive cease-fire and the executive aspects of the six protocols would be addendum to the framework agreement signed in Nairobi early this month.

The comprehensive peace agreement would be signed in the presence of the President of the Republic Gen Omar al-Beshir and leaders of the IGAD countries besides personalities from various states and organizations. foreign ministry undersecretary Dr Mutrif Sidiq, on his part, explained that the security and political discussions would be at the level of sub-committees, pointing out that First Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and SPLM Chairman Dr John Garang, will remain close to participate whenever need arises.

The coming session represents the conclusion of the peace talks between the government and SPLM, which were conducted during the previous years under the auspices of IGAD.