Sudanese VP, rebel leader due in Kenya to rejoin peace talks
NAIROBI, Dec 4, 2003 (Xinhua) — Sudanese First Vice-President Ali Osman Taha and John Garang, leader of the main rebel, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), are due in Kenya to rejoin the ongoing peace talks, mediator of the talks announced here Thursday.
“The two leaders, Garang and Taha will arrive on Friday and then proceed here ( Kenyan town of Naivasha, about 90 km west of Nairobi) to rejoin the peace talks which are already tackling all outstanding issues,” Kenyan Special Envoy for Peace in the Sudan and Chief Mediator Lazarus Sumbeiywo told Xinhua.
Sumbeiywo expressed optimism that the ongoing meeting between the Sudanese government and southern rebels may result in a breakthrough depending on the commitment from both sides, adding that the first four days of the talks are being dedicated to technical details.
He noted said both sides have reiterated their earlier commitment to reach a final agreement before the end of the year.
However, diplomatic sources here warned that if the two leaders do not manage to narrow their differences, reaching a final settlement to this civil war will be more difficult than ever.
“The issues of the presidency, the issues of wealth sharing, issues of power sharing, and the issue of the three conflict areas are the major issues that are outstanding. Unless these are resolved by the two Sudanese principals in this current session which ends on Dec. 20, peace talks could be in danger of collapse hence more suffering for the Sudanese people,” a diplomat who didn ‘t want to be identified told Xinhua.
The Sudanese civil war started as the SPLA took up arms fighting for self-determination in the southern part of the country in 1983.
The conflict has left some 2 million people dead, mostly through war-induced famine and disease.
The Sudanese government and the SPLA began peace talks last July in Kenya, aimed at ending the longest civil war in the continent, under the auspices of the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a seven-member regional group in East Africa, which consists of Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Eritrea, Tanzania and the Sudan.
Both parties have been committed to reaching a final deal by the end of year during the ongoing peace talks held in Naivasha, supposed to be the last round of the talks.
Kenya is currently holding the chairmanship of the IGAD ministerial sub-committee on the Sudan.