Sudan says efforts “under way” to normalize ties with Eritrea

KHARTOUM, May 4, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — Sudanese foreign affairs minister, Mustafa Osman Ismail, has announced that diplomatic efforts are under way to try and normalize relations between Sudan and Eritrea. He said that he hoped the relations would return to normal as soon as possible.

According to the pro governmental Al-Anba daily, the foreign minister affirmed the government’s determination, and seriousness, to overcome obstacles which had led to the political differences between both countries so that the peoples of the two countries would benefit from peace and stability.

Meanwhile, the official spokesman for Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Yasir Arman, has denied what was reported in the press in the last few days that the SPLM is to mediate a meeting due to held next week between the Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, and the Eritrean president, Isayas Afewerki.

Speaking to the press, Arman said that arrangements were going on between the first vice-president, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, and John Garang SPLM leader to hold a meeting with the opposition National Democratic Alliance leader, Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani, in Cairo.

Arman pointed out SPLM’s efforts to hold talks with the National Ummah Party for the latter to participate in the National Constitutional Review Commission because of the good relations between them.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.