Eastern Sudan talks adjourned for two weeks

Sept 26, 2006 (ASMARA) — Negotiations on peace for eastern Sudan, between the government and the Eastern Front [rebel group] hosted by Asmara concluded its session and are scheduled to resume by mid-Ramadan (8 October).

Member of the Eastern Front and negotiator Abdallah Musa told the pro-ruling party SMC news service that the two negotiating parties had agreed on establishing a fund for the rehabilitation of the east. Musa explained that discussions over the issue of security arrangements had been determined by 60%.

He said the front had told the government that it wanted to keep the region united. It said it had presented an historical argument to consolidate its demand for a united region.

Musa said the front had stressed the involvement of sons of the east at all power levels, from the presidency of the republic downward to localities.

He further indicated that the government proposals on the power sharing are weak on the regard of the eastern Front propositions. As result, the talks have been suspended to give the government time to study rebel propositions.

The third round of east Sudan peace talks opened late on Monday 7 August in what promises to be a long road to resolving a lingering low-level revolt in the economically important region of the country.

In this session the peace talks between the Sudanese government and the rebel eastern Front engage two committees. The joint committee charged with discussing economic, social services and cultural issue deals with questions of wealth, development, social services. The second meeting is for the joint Committee on military and security Arrangement, will look into final military and security matters.

The chairperson of the government delegation to the Asmara peace talks, Mustafa Osman Ismail, said he expects a peace accord to be signed with the Eastern Front rebels towards the end of the month of Ramadan (end of October).

(ST)