Annan welcomes peace talks in Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 4, 2003 (Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan on Thursday welcomed the peace talks being held in Kenya between top officials of the Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Annan “strongly hopes that these high-level talks will provide the necessary impetus for the two sides to conclude their negotiations with a comprehensive peace agreement,” said a statement issued by a UN spokesman.

Sudanese First Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and SPLM chairman John Garang started peace talks near the Kenyan capital of Nirobi on Thursday, under the auspices of the Inter- governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) composed of east African states.

The United Nations “stands ready to contribute to the efforts of the international community to help implement a peace agreement concluded by the Sudanese parties,” the statement said.

Annan also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the government of Kenya in leading the IGAD peace initiative.

The SPLM is Sudan’s main rebel group which operates in the southern part of the nation. Sudan has been in the grip of a civil war since 1983 when the Christian-dominated south started to seek more autonomy.