Sudan’s VP, rebel chief meet optimistic of peace accord
By Bogonko Bosire
NAIVASHA, Kenya, Oct 17 (AFP) — Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha and southern rebel leader John Garang launched a fresh round of talks in Kenya on Friday amid hopes that a comprehensive accord to end two decades of civil war was within reach.
One indication of the significance of this round was that Kenyan Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka presided over the formal opening ceremony, held near Naivasha, a town 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Nairobi.
Another sign was Musyoka’s announcement that the most senior US diplomat — Secretary of State Colin Powell — was expected to attend the talks.
“All indications are that US Secretary of State Colin Powell will come to Kenya next week to encourage both parties or to witness the signing of the agreement,” Musyoka said.
War erupted in Sudan in 1983 and has since killed more than 1.5 million people and displaced four million others. Following the end of Angola’s civil war last year, the Sudan conflict gained the ignominious distinction of being Africa’s longest running war.
The war has pitted rebels from the mainly Christian and animist south against the predominantly Muslim government in Khartoum.
The last round of talks ended in late September, when vice president Taha and rebel leader Garang signed a deal on security arrangements for a six-year transition period during which the rebel-controlled south will enjoy self-rule.
After the test period of autonomy, an internationally supervised referendum will be held to allow the southern Sudanese to choose whether to remain part of Sudan or become independent.
Musyoka, Taha and Garang held a brief meeting after Friday’s ceremony.
The entourage of Garang, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), and other officials in Naivasha said talks proper would begin on Saturday morning and last until October 25.
These discussions are designed to iron differences on the three issues still outstanding in the drawn-out peace process — unresolved aspects of power- and wealth-sharing and the status of three disputed geographical areas.
“Allow me to congratulate you for the monumental achievement that you realised during the last session,” Kenya’s Musyoka said at the opening ceremony.
“Mine is to encourage you to build on what you have already started. The whole world is watching and waiting with high expectations that you will reach an agreement this time around.”
SPLA leader Garang said: “Although the remaining issues are important and difficult, the international community is keen. But above all the Sudanese people in all parts — north, south, east and west — want peace.”
“It is our determination that we will deliver peace to our people and the world at large,” he added.
“We have come, as we did last time, with the the same level of openness, commitment, determination and purpose to move on with the remaining issues so that we are able to reach a peace settlement.”
Vice President Taha was similarly optimistic.
“We are here with full dedication and determination to settle the remaining issues and we hope that in this hall that we signed an agreement on security, we will also sign a comprehensive peace agreement,” he said.
“I thank Garang for what he has delivered and I hope we on our part will do the same for the people of Sudan.”
Asked if a final deal was feasible during this round, Nick Haysom, an advisor to the Kenyan mediator of the peace process, told AFP: “It is possible. ”
“We hope that they will sign a comprehensive peace agreement in this round of talks. I am particulary encouraged with the positive attitude displayed by both parties.”