Sudan parliament holds historic session on signing of peace accord

KHARTOUM, May 31, 2004 (SUNA) — The National Assembly held a historic sitting Monday on the occasion of the recent signing of the three peace protocols between the government and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Present at the sitting were the first vice-president, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, chairman of the constitutional court, Jalal Ali Lutfi, registrar of the political associations and parties, Mohamed Ahmad Salim, chairman of the Public Grievances Corporation, federal ministers, commanders of the Armed Forces and members of the parliament.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ahmad Ibrahim al-Tahir, described the signing of the peace protocols as historic and unique achievement.

He affirmed the transparency of the agreements, which were subjected to consultation, congratulating the SPLM and its leader on this achievement.

He expressed hope that the SPLM will soon join the efforts to re-build the homeland and to affirm that the Sudanese people can surpass their differences.

The minister of federal relations bureau and member of the government’s delegation to the peace negotiations, Dr Nafi Ali Nafi, explained that the agreements pose the start for new Sudan and a new era in Sudan’s foreign relations.

Meanwhile, a number of deputies spoke at the sitting, appreciating the latest developments in the peace process and called for intensifying preparations to confront the coming challenges of peace.