Sixteen conflicting points “hindering” Sudanese peace talks
NAIROBI, March 27, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has pointed out that there are 16 conflicting points preventing the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) from signing a final peace agreement, the London based Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported.
Chief Kenyan mediator Lazarus Sumbeiywo urged the two parties to reach an agreement and settle the conflicting points as soon as possible.
The conflicting points regarded the issues of Abyei, the location of the national capital, the presidency, the proportional representation at the National Assembly and the central government, the southern government and parliament, the representation of people from the regions of Abyei, southern Blue Nile and the Nuba mountains at the government and the National Assembly, the reorganization of security bodies, and the representation of other political forces.
The government document had omitted the issues of the national capital and the proportional representation of people from Abyei, southern Blue Nile and the Nuba mountains at the National Assembly, as well as the reorganization of security bodies and the representation of the other political forces. The government suggested the idea of two vice-presidents, one of them from the south.
On the contrary, the SPLM document had included all points, but proposed only one vice-president.
The two heads of the peace talks delegations Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and Chairman John Garang has started negotiations over the conflicting points yesterday, the daily mentioned.
Peace talks between Sudan’s government and southern rebels aimed at ending two decades of civil war in the oil producing country were extended for 10 days amid hopes that outstanding issues would be resolved by the end of the month.
The latest round of talks, which began on Feb. 17, had been set to end on March 22.
The two sides have made a series of breakthrough agreements during close to two years of talks in neighboring Kenya, but have recently been held up by disputes over the contested oil-rich area of Abyei and power-sharing arrangements.
Sudan’s war began in 1983 and has killed an estimated 2 million people. It pits the southern-based SPLA against the northern government. Many other groups are also involved. Issues at stake include religious freedom and southern independence.