Khartoum says ready for humanitarian deal with SPLM-N rebels

November 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese government chief negotiator said ready to sign a humanitarian agreement with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N); ahead of a new round of talks that begins on Thursday

Presidential assistant, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid and his delegation arrived Wednesday to the venue of the negotiations in Addis Ababa, as the SPLM-N and Darfur groups negotiating teams are already there. Also, the head of Darfur peace office, Amin Hassan Omer is in the Ethiopian capital since Tuesday.

In its invitation to the government and rebel delegations, the African Union High Level Implementation Panel indicated that the agenda of discussions – in two separate tracks – will handle a cessation of hostilities agreement in the Two Areas and Darfur and humanitarian access to civilians in the conflict affected areas.

In statements to the official news agency SUNA from Addis Ababa; Hamid said his delegation will do its best to make this round of talks the latest round in order to end suffering of Sudanese citizens in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

“We believe that the previous nine rounds have developed a solid foundation to reach a lasting peace, if the other party wants a lasting peace. Also, it put a comprehensive basis for the humanitarian situation”.

“The government of Sudan is ready to implement immediately the (humanitarian) agreement signed by its negotiating team with the SPLM-N in the presence of the United Nations, the African Union and the Arab League ,” he further said.

The two warring parties signed two agreement in February and August 2012 with the tripartite initiative, in order to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in the war areas.

However, the two parties failed to implement the agreement as the government laid out operational conditions and asked to control the whole process even in the SPLM-N held areas.

But SPLM-N refused the entry of the government Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC)’s workers in its areas saying this body is infiltrated by security agents.

Also, the Sudanese rebel groups who demand a comprehensive negotiated solution now ask for a comprehensive humanitarian access to civilians in the Two Areas and Darfur.

The mediation hope to convince the warring parties to sign the cessation of hostilities and reach a compromise on the outstanding matters in order to expedite the preparations for a mini pre-dialogue meeting involving the major opposition parties.

(ST)