Government, Darfur Minawi agree to resolve pending issues

August 31, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese government and the former rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) – Minawi agreed to resolve the outstanding issue in the implementation of Abuja peace agreement by the end of September.

Minni Arcua Minawi, the Senior Presidential Assistant left the Sudanese capital 4 months ago and informally suspended his participation in the government to protest over the ill implementation of the peace deal that he signed since more than two years.

Omer Rahama, the rapporteur of the operations room in charge of implementing the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) said two delegations from the government and the SLM-Minawi reached an agreement to draw up a road map to complete the DPA implementation.

He further affirmed the parties have agreed to implement the outcome of the meetings end of September.

He added that what was agreed upon would put things in their right framework in the future

Speaking to Sudan Tribune four days ago Minawi said that he has no intention of returning “until there is good will from the dominant National Congress Party”.

He had said that talks between him and Khartoum to resolve outstanding issues are far from complete.

Minawi also downplayed the ‘People of Sudan’ initiative launched by President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir during his tour of Darfur last month.

“The principle is not bad but other political parties must take the lead on it. The NCP cannot be in charge of it” he stressed.

(ST)