President Isayas meets Sudanese opposition leaders in Asmara

BBC Monitoring Africa

By Eritrean radio

ASMARA, Nov. 09, 2003 — President Isayas Afewerki yesterday met and held talks with the chairman of the Sudanese [opposition] National Democratic Alliance [NDA], Maulana [honorific] Muhammad Uthman al-Mirghani, and the chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement [SPLM], Dr John Garang.

They discussed developments in the peace talks under way in Naivasha, Kenya. They expressed their desire for a peaceful resolution of the problem in Sudan. Maulana Muhammad al-Mirghani and Dr John Garang also held lengthy discussions on the peace process earlier on Friday, 7 November. They discussed possibilities for the NDA to take part in the next stages of the peace talks, during which they expressed their hopes for something positive that will benefit the Sudanese people.

Maulana Muhammad Uthman al-Mirghani and Dr John Garang also convened a joint meeting for members of the NDA in Asmara yesterday afternoon. Participants of the meeting commended efforts being made by the SPLM aimed at bringing about a comprehensive peace and stability in Sudan. They also praised the position taken by the Eritrean government and people on the Sudanese issue.