Southern body official asks peace negotiators to strive for an agreement

Al-Anba daily newspaper on September 21, 2003

The Southern States Coordination Council (SSCC) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the substance of the ongoing peace negotiations between first vice-president of the republic and leader of people’s movement [rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement SPLM] in Kenyan town of Naivasha, where the two sides are expected to sign memorandum of understanding or are planning to do so.

The SSCC chairman, Dr Riek Gai, said the memorandum of understanding would be weaker than a agreement.

In a statement issued specifically to (SMC) [Sudan Media Centre], Dr Gai said the opportunity [of arriving at a peace agreement] should not be wasted with presence of the leader of the people’s movement, John Garang, at the talks. He said Col John Garang totally represents the SPLM. He called for the sending of a technical delegation to join the first vice-president of the republic who negotiating with the leader of the movement in Kenya so as to decisively sort out outstanding issues in the presence of John Garang.

He said that as long the first vice-president had a mandate from the leadership office of ruling National Congress to pursue the talks, then he must achieve peace.

Dr Gai noted the US decision to cancel the Sudanese Peace Act.

Speaking to SMC, he said the act had been an obstacle to peace, especially since it was an favour of SPLM.

He further said the act was cancelled because it had been a big obstacle to the negotiations.