Bashir supports Eritrean mediation with Eastern Sudan rebels
May 2, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — President Omar al-Bashir, has announced Sudan’s support for Eritrea’s initiatives to begin negotiations with the rebel Eastern Front to achieve a peaceful resolution to the eastern Sudanese problem.
During his meeting with the personal envoy of the Eritrean president, Abdallah Jabir, who is also in charge of organizational affairs of the ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) in Eritrea, Al-Bashir announced the Sudanese government’s support and solidarity with the Eritrean government’s efforts to begin eastern talks between the Sudanese government and Eastern Front.
Regarding the beginning of the eastern talks, the Eritrean official stressed that the talks will begin within this month, adding that the coming days will witness holding of meeting in Asmara between the Sudanese government and Eastern Sudan rebels to discuss the process and specific dates for the beginning of talks between the two sides.
Jabir told the press “We requested that the president oversee and support the talks in order to realize the peace agreement soon. The president welcomed and supported this and affirmed his readiness to support the process”.
He also said that the negotiations will begin this month but the procedures of the negotiations will begin this week.He further said no date was fixed yet, but Eastern Front was consulted on the issue and it gave its view in writing on the procedures.
The Eritrean envoy affirmed that his government has informed the Eastern Front on arrangements for the beginning of the talks.
(ST)