Sudan framework peace accord to be signed within days: Khartoum newspapers

KHARTOUM, May 9 (AFP) — The Sudanese government and rebels at ongoing negotiations in Kenya are expected to sign a framework peace accord within days to end 20 years of civil war in southern Sudan, newspapers here reported Sunday.

The reports quoted a US observer at the negotiations in Naivasha, Jeff Millington, a former charge d’affaires in Khartoum, as saying the two sides could reach agreement on the pending issues as early as Tuesday.

Vice President Ali Osman Taha and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) leader John Garang are expected Sunday to give a date for signing the agreement, the daily Al-Ayam said.

The independent Al-Hayat said it did not expect a signing before Wednesday as there were no signs of preparations for a ceremony in Naivasha. But a government delegation was expected to travel to Kenya within two days.

The two sides have agreed on all key issues, including the legislative status of Khartoum, according to the newspaper reports. Only minor points remained, including power-sharing in the Nuba Mountains and southern Blue Nile regions.

But even if texts are signed this week, another round of talks will be needed to clinch agreement on the details of a comprehensive ceasefire, modalities for its implementation and the nature of an international peacekeeping force, according to mediators in Kenya.

The war between Khartoum and the SPLA, coupled with recurrent famine and disease, has claimed at least 1.5 million lives and displaced more than four million people.

Since July 2002, when the two sides struck an accord granting the south the right to a referendum after a six-year transition period, other deals have been reached on a 50-50 split of the country’s wealth — particularly revenues from oil — and on how to manage government and SPLA armies during the interim period.

The south, where most people observe Christian or traditional faiths, has been fighting to end its domination and marginalisation by successive Muslim governments in Khartoum.