Sudan partners agree to unify positions on Darfur
January 28, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan peace partners wrapped their two-day meeting today by agreeing to unify their position on the peace talks with Darfur rebel movements in order to strengthen the government of national unity.
Since Abuja where the SPLM was represented by some delegates, the National Congress Party negotiates alone with the Darfur rebel groups. In Arusha and Sirte last year the SPLM has an independent delegation.
The Naivasha peace partners, the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), agreed on the need to unify the negotiating position of the Government of National Unity in the peace talks with the Darfur rebel movements and the importance of reunification of the rebel movements.
Following the end of the meeting of the joint political executive committee, Co-spokesperson for the NCP, Derdiri Mohammed Ahmed, said the Committee reached a number of resolutions that aim to promote a unified negotiating position between partners the Government of National Unity to negotiate with the rebel movements in Darfur.
Co-spokesperson for the SPLM,Paul Mayom, said that the SPLM has succeeded in its efforts to reunite Darfur rebel movements in three groups only and seek to reunite them or unify their negotiating position. “But we agreed on the vision of the National Congress Party aiming to unify the stance of the CPA partners to express the position of the Government of National Unity on the negotiation.” He added.
During the CPA crisis between October and December 2007, many voices within the National Congress criticised the SPLM hosting of Darfur rebel groups in Juba. Some went, like Mustafa Osman Ismail went to say that the SPLM intend to use Darfur rebels as political tool to pressurize Khartoum.
The Sudanese Top Negotiator Nafei Ali Nafi at Serte talks objected to the presence of a SPLM delegation in the talks. He said their can joint the government delegation or move out of the peace meeting.
OTHER ISSUES
The joint meeting discussed the implementation of Eastern Sudan peace deal and the progress of negotiations sponsored by the Government of the south Sudan between the Ugandan government and the LRA rebels, and the Eastern Sudan peace agreement as well as the elections law.
With regard to the position of the partners on the elections law, Mayom said that the two sides concurred on the importance to reach an agreement as soon as possible with the political forces on the project of law and then submit it to the National Constitutional Review Commission in preparation for submission to the Presidency.
He said that the meeting touched on the affairs of Muslims and their rights, northern traders and Islamic institutions in the South
Mayen said the meeting discussed measures taken to restore security in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile pointing out that it had been agreed to absorb 359 soldiers and officers in the police force.
The two partners agreed to resume the work of the Committee on February 11.
(ST)