Khartoum rejects power sharing with rebels, says Beshir has six more years

CAIRO, Oct 20 (AFP) — Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir will stay in power for at least six more years, Vice President Ali Osman Taha said in an interview published Monday, ruling out a power-sharing arrangement demanded by southern rebels.

Taha told the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram that there would be no elections until a six-year period of autonomy for the south provided for in a peace accord concluded last year was over.

“It has been agreed that the president will remain in power and that elections will be put off until the end of the transitional period of six years,” he said.

The southern-based Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), which is nearing a final peace agreement with the Khartoum government, had demanded a rotating presidency, with Beshir handing over to a SPLA representative after three years.

At the end of the six years, a referendum will be held for the south to decide whether to remain part of Sudan or become independent.

Taha said a new government would be formed within six months of the signature of a definitive accord, “comprising representatives of all regions, north, south, east and west, and representatives of all political movements.”

He said it had been agreed to hold legislative elections, but not until a year to 18 months after a final peace deal aimed at ending 20 years of civil war.

Taha gave his interview from Naivasha, Kenya, where he is negotiating with SPLA leader John Garang.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell is due in Kenya Wednesday to give a boost to the talks.