Sudan factions see wealth-sharing deal this week

NAIROBI, Dec 15 (Reuters) – Sudan’s warring factions are likely to take another step towards a final peace settlement this week through a wealth-sharing deal, sources said on Monday, but mediators are still seeking a comprehensive agreement.

The Khartoum government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), at war for two decades, are holding what is intended to be a final round of peace negotiations in Kenya.

Government and rebel sources close to the talks said that so far Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman Taha and John Garang, head of the SPLA, had only focused on wealth sharing.

“They are now trying to double their efforts in order to have something before (the round of talks ends on) December 19. But it is still not clear whether that’s a framework (overall) agreement or just on wealth sharing,” a government source said.

Outstanding issue include sharing wealth, dividing power, and the status of three areas contested between the northern government and southern-based SPLA.

Mediators, especially the United States, have pressured both sides to get a final deal on all these things by the end of the year, even if the agreement is only a framework.

Peace talks began in early 2002, and the sides have already signed deals on splitting state and religion, forming a postwar army and letting the south hold a referendum on independence after an interim period.

Another source at the talks said it was likely they would agree on retaining two currencies during the interim period, while a new single currency was evolved.

“We have agreed there will be a joint monetary authority with two windows — one on Islamic banking in the north and one on a conventional Western banking system in the south,” the source said.

Chief mediator Lazarus Sumbeiywo of Kenya said he would prefer the talks to continue until a comprehensive deal was struck.

“They do not want to sign on one issue only,” he said. “This session is expected to end on the 19th, it is up to the two parties (but) if they have not managed to come to an agreement by Friday, I would encourage them to extend the talks.”

The war in Sudan has killed an estimated two million people since it began in 1983.