Sudanese president fires chief peace adviser

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Nov 29, 2003 (AP) — President Omar el-Bashir fired his chief adviser on the peace process, Ghazi Salah Eddin Attabani, the official Sudan News Agency reported Saturday.

No immediate reason was given for the dismissal.

“The president … issued a presidential decree on Saturday relieving Dr. Ghazi Salah Eddin, the presidential adviser on peace affairs, from his post upon his (Attabani’s) request,” SUNA said.

The dismissal came as a surprise as state media had reported that Attabani would lead the government delegation when peace talks with the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army resumed in Kenya next week.

It was known that Attabani had differences with other members of the government over a number of issues in the peace process. Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail had denied that such differences existed.

The government and the SPLA have agreed on a six-year transitional period and are now negotiating a final settlement to the 20-year civil war.