Sudan’s Kiir, SLM’s Nur discuss Darfur peace accord

May 27, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdelwahid al-Nur has revealed that al-Nur had a long telephone discussion on Darfur Peace Agreement with First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

During the telephone conversation, which lasted two hours, developments of the situation in Darfur and the SLM’s position towards the peace agreement were discussed.

Al-Nur said he had given a full explanation of the SLM’s position and reiterated its adherence the inclusion of an additional paper as a precondition to the signing of the peace agreement.

Al-Nur wants Sudanese government to meet three key demands in an annex accord before he signs. The demands are for greater compensation for victims of the war, more political posts for the SLA and greater involvement in disarming the Janjaweed. But the government has already rebuffed him.

He further reiterated that his conversation with Kiir had been positive and productive and that they had exchanged views. “We talked for over two hours and all in all, we appreciate the man’s efforts,” he said.

In this regard, al-Nur criticized statements by head of the government’s negotiating delegation Majzoub al-Khalifa and denied that there had been any contacts between the government delegation and the SLM.

“Al-Khalifa wants to market the Abuja agreement on a personal basis, which is a regrettable endeavour. I confirm that since the Abuja talks broke up there have been no communications between us and the government delegation. We still abide by our position to boycott the agreement,” Nur said.

(ST)