Sudan rejects American proposal to re-divide South Kordofan in two states
October 3, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has rejected an American proposition recommending to re-divide the war-torn state of Southern Kordofan in two states in a bid to end the ongoing conflict with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- North (SPLM-N).
Governor Ahmed Haroun of the National Congress Party (NCP), according to the proposition, will govern the West Kordofan and the SPLM-N deputy chairman Abdel Aziz el-Hilu will take the control of the South Kordofan until the organization of new elections and the popular consultation process.
Reacting to the report, state minister for information Sana Hamad, said that Washington seeks the resumption of negotiations with the SPLM-N in a way to preserve the presence of the latter in Sudan.
The Sudanese official described the US proposal as unobjective “unless Washington has a desire for continued crisis in Sudan”. She further said that any concession granted to the SPLM represents the beginning of dividing the country.
The US Administration concerned by the negative impact of the South Kordofan and Blue Nile crisis on the relations between Sudan and the newly independent Republic of South Sudan, voiced its opposition to any alliance between the SPLM-N and Darfur rebels.
Reacting to rebels call to overthrow Sudan’s government, US special envoy last September held a series of meetings with the SPLM-N and Darfur rebels urged the rebels to engage separate talks with Khartoum.
Presidential Assistant Nafie Ali Nafie who is also the NCP deputy chairman asserted today to not resume talks with the SPLM-N while the Governor Ahmed Haroun called for “jihad” against the rebels in the state.
Pushed by the army, President Omer al-Bashir rejected, last July a framework agreement with the SPLM and affirmed that the SPLM-N should disarm its troops before talks. He also stipulated that such negotiations should take place without any mediator.
(ST)