Zenawi arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
August 21, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Sunday evening arrived unexpectedly in the Sudanese capital Khartoum with Malik Aggar, chairman of the armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), to hold talks with President Omer Al-Bashir.
Al-Bashir, who said he welcomes the move, publicly disavowed a deal signed by his party and the SPLM on 28 June to deescalate the tension in South Kordofan which has been ravaged by battles between Sudan’s army and the SPLM fighters.
The fighting, which erupted in early June after Sudan’s army threatened to disarm SPLA fighters following the secession of their erstwhile ally South Sudan, has so far led to the killing, injury and displacement of at least 200,000 people, according to UN figures.
Al-Bashir scrapped the deal over its recognition of the SPLM-N as a legal political party in Sudan, something which officials from his ruling National Congress Party (NCP) previously vowed not to let it happen, saying that the SPLM-N would be considered an extension of a foreign party.
In response to the NCP’s withdrawal of commitment to the deal, the SPLM said that any future peace talks with the ruling party must be conducted outside Sudan and through a third party.
South Kordofan’s fighting has subsided as the warring sides appear to be deadlocked in a military stalemate as indicated by the soft tone NCP officials have recently adopted towards the rebellion which they previously vowed to crush.
Furthermore, some people close to the situation, including Thabo Mbeki, the head of the AU’s High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, have indicated that Al-Bashir was currently looking for a way to contain the situation in South Kordofan.
“Meles is a friend and [he is] keen on peace and stability in Sudan and a strong advocate of Sudan in regional and international occasions,” Al-Bashir told reporters.
SPLM sources disclosed to Sudan Tribune that Malik Aggar was present during the meeting held between Al-Bashir and Zenawi but he opted to hide from the eyes of reporters. The same sources said that Aggar would return to Addis Ababa with Zenwai.
Prior to his sudden arrival in Sudan, Zenawi held talks on Sunday morning in Addis Ababa with Aggar, SPLM-N’s secretary-general Yasir Arman and deputy chairman Abdul Aziz Al-Hilu who is leading SPLM forces in South Kordofan.
SPLM sources said that the party’s leadership does not mind a resumption of talks which they said should ideally lead to the revival of Addis Ababa’s framework agreement.
(ST)
belle loboi
Zenwai arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
Now very village wanted to be Country in name of SPLA.
triple A
Zenwai arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
Dear.bell
r u alrit.
r u ok.
Akol Liai Mager
Zenwai arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
I am deeply offended and disturbed by the words “SPLM/A leader Militia in South Kordufan” used by the reporter of this News.
I hope Sudan Tribune is not siding NIF Militias in the war against Nuba Peoples’ Up-rising.
I pray for God that Sudan Tribune Media refrains from taking the path of Al-Intibah of Criminal Al-Bashir’s Uncle.
The blood of Nuba, Angessena, Beja and Darfurians that poured in South Kordufan for the quest for freedom, defence of their Lands, Huts and Properties needs to be respected.
Such terms as “Militia” are not used to describe Peoples’ Up-Risers. I hope the Reporter gets the message.
philipdit wol
Zenwai arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
Meles Zeenawi that is worsting your times how many sesecion have been done with Bashir and no success in it.
peace
Zenwai arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
my friend Malik is not saying he will be the president,that is misinterpretation,weneed peace from north,south,east,west,the peace that was sign by two parties can be for the whole country,this an expected visited was done knowingly so that those who complicate thing and distorted the mind of rigid umar bishir should not mouthing ,they will mimic when malik leave the capital
SPLA continuou that initiative follow the right root,we did got independed through war,it was through negotiation.
long live sudan,long live SPLA/NORTH SECTOR
SPLA OYEE
By Awaaynhom Innocent Man
Makuei
Zenwai arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
@Akol, me too brother – the term “militias” is not suppose to be the term used here for SPLM/A – North, but sense of immaturity with that writer. SPLM/A-N is a government and a movement. In other word – it’s a party.
Someone must grow up to learn how to call people’s people all right. Because they are depending their right against Khartoum’s abuse, does not make them be called as such.
Dr. Reality
Zenawi arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
Melis Zenawi,
The status of political development in Ethiopia seen Zenawi came to power do lack qualification for Ethiopia to talk about peace in Sudan or anywhere in Africa.
Andrew Ojok
Zenawi arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
To whom it’s may concern
Sudan dialogue always wise on military base why should we blems this criticism again omer it’s should be all sudanese not negotiate amongst others deal with tribulism and master of all kind of killing unknown believe person someone behind this i know and someone may find out as soon as posible i would like to give thanks to those who’s cries again us meles Zenawi working hard to us so what about the rest what the been smoking are they scare or they being influntiate by someone hope Sudan ‘ll never ever have peacefull of mind
Yale
Zenawi arrives in Sudan for talks with Bashir on South Kordofan
I think governor Malik Aggar will be the president of Sudan tomorrow.