Sudan rebels, govt extend truce ahead of new talks
NAIROBI, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Sudan’s government and main rebel group signed a two-month truce extension on Friday amid hopes a new round of talks starting on Sunday could reach a final peace deal by year’s end to halt a 20-year-old war.
The two sides still face major obstacles, having failed so far to agree the status of three disputed areas and the sharing of power and wealth. But a security deal last year allowing southerners a referendum on secession after a six-year transition raised hopes of broader agreement.
“Our tradition has been that we extend for three months, but there will be no need because we will have a comprehensive ceasefire by the end of January. This is my hope,” Kenyan Lazaro Sumbeiywo, the chief mediator in the peace process said.
The accord to extend the truce until the end of January was signed by representatives of the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) at a brief ceremony in Kenya.
The current truce is due to expire on Sunday when the two parties resume negotiations at Lake Naivasha, some 90 km (55 miles) north west of the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
Sudanese rebel leader John Garang said last Friday he saw a good chance of reaching a peace agreement with the government by the end of the year. But he did not see the target favoured by the United States as a deadline for reaching peace when the talks resume after a break for the fasting month of Ramadan.
TWO MILLION DIED
Garang and Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha are scheduled to join the talks on or around December 5.
More than 2 million people have died as a direct or indirect result of the war, launched by Garang’s movement to claim greater autonomy for non-Arab southerners.
“Delegates from the parties start meeting on Sunday to discuss the three outstanding issues, to prepare options for the principals to come and make the decisions,” Sumbeiywo said.
Last year’s brakthrough security deal provided for two separate armies with the creation of integrated units comprising government and SPLA troops during an interim period.
The SPLA said it plans to visit Khartoum to meet top political figures ahead of the Garang and Taha talks in what would be the first such trip in 20 years, but no date was set.
“The meeting is meant to cement the peace process and make sure there will be no retreat from the process,” SPLA/M spokesman Yasser Arman said.