Sudan, eastern rebels resume peace talks in Asmara

July 24, 2006 (ASMARA) — The second round of peace talks between the Sudanese government and the rebel Eastern Front, resumed today in Asmara.

Following joint talks that took place on 17 July, the two sides had also held separate talks with the government of Eritrea to express their stand on political affairs, administration, power-sharing, economic and socio-cultural issues, resources, development and security.

In despite of the back out imposed by the Eritrean mediator, it was disclosed that the Eastern Front at Asmara talks demanded 60 per cent share of the government of the region and 40 per cent for the National Unity government, a 20 per cent representation of the front in the National Assembly and to be given a vice-president office.

The government team had the vision that the region be governed by its people and supported by the centre.

The Eastern Front rejected any reference other than the Declaration of Principles signed last June. A source at the Eastern Front, in an exclusive statement to Khartoum Monitor said that there is nothing new in the government’s vision as the present governors of the three eastern states are easterners and that the centre controlling of budget is the source of marginalization.

We insist on all resources in the region to be exploited for the service of its people, he added.

(ST)