Sudan cabinet holds first-ever meeting in south

KHARTOUM, July 24 (AFP) — The Sudanese government convened for the first time ever in the south of the country Sunday, in a symbolic meeting attended by President Omar al-Beshir and his former foe, First Vice President John Garang.

Former southern Sudanese rebel leader John Garang (R), is welcomed by Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir upon his arrival to Khartoum, July 8, 2005. (AFP)..

The cabinet meeting was held in Fulug, a small town near oilfields in the north of Upper Nile state where the government hopes foreign investments will allow Sudan to hike its oil output to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year.

The government ended 21 years of a bloody civil war with Garang’s former southern rebels when a peace agreement was signed in January. Both parties are now involved in an interim national unity government.

“This session signifies unity between the north and south of our country,” Beshir said in a short introductory speech.

“Our meeting here signals to our people that peace has really come and this is why are here,” Garang said.

“Despite my busy programme, I decided to come to this meeting to welcome you, for the first time in my capacity as chairman of the government of south Sudan,” said Garang, addressing Beshir and the ministers.

The sharing of the country’s oil wealth was one of the main factors that fueled what was then Africa’s longest-running war and remains a sensitive issue in the implementation of the peace accord.

Sudan currently produces around 300,000 bpd and has said it hopes to raise its crude production to half a million by the end of the year. The sprawling country has proven reserves of more than 500 million barrels.