Al-Beshir says government not under pressure in peace talks with SPLM

KHARTOUM, Feb 19, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, has said the government was negotiating with the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) so as to arrive at glorious peace without being under any external or internal dictation or pressure.

Sudan — which Washington lists as a state that sponsors “terror” — is negotiating a deal with the rebel SPLM/A to end a civil war that has killed more than two million people and displaced up to four million in the south of Africa’s largest country.

While addressing this afternoon a huge public gathering at Donqola town, capital of Northern State, al-Beshir said there would be no neglecting or breaching of Islamic Shariah, saying it was a trust bestowed on us.

He said Sudan was going through a new period in its history where peace has been established and its resources being utilized for the benefit of its people in establishing development, nation building and stability.

Al-Beshir saluted the efforts of the army, police, regular forces and Mujahidin in establishing peace, security and development in Darfur. Meanwhile, his excellency, this afternoon, attended a mass wedding for more than 300 couples at Donqola stadium.

The Beirut based the Daily Star said earlier today that the Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Charles Snyder had warned Khartoum that the US would not lift sanctions against Sudan, and the “troika” mediating the north-south talks the US, Britain and Norway would not fund a new era of peace with the SPLA as long as the war in Darfur rages unabated.