US vows to normalise ties after peace accord: Sudan

KHARTOUM, Oct 22 (AFP) — The United States has vowed to restore normal relations with Khartoum after it seals a final peace accord with southern rebels, the official news agency SUNA said Wednesday.

It said the pledge to “fully normalise relations with Sudan after the conclusion of a final, comprehensive peace agreement” came in a message from Bush to Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir on Tuesday.

The US leader also welcomed the progress in peace talks between Khartoum and the rebels, while vowing Washington would “continue assisting the search for peace in Sudan”.

Sudan’s vice president and main rebel leader have pledged to sign a comprehensive deal to end two decades of civil war by the end of December, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday after meeting both men in Kenya.

Bush will host leaders of Khartoum’s Islamic government and of the southern Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) at the White House once such a deal was signed, Powell said.

Sudan is on a US list of states which allegedly sponsor terrorism.

On Tuesday, Powell told reporters that a comprehensive peace deal, coupled with more work by Khartoum to ease Washington’s concerns about terrorism, could lead to the lifting of US sanctions against Sudan.