Sudan peace deal to be sealed in August or early September: Garang

NAIROBI, June 15, 2004 (The Nation) — Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) chairman John Garang said the deal could be sealed in August or early September.

Campaigning in Southern Sudan for support of the six protocols recently signed between SPLM/A and Khartoum Government, Dr Garang said only two issues remained-an international monitoring guarantee and implementation procedure-before the two warring sides could totally bid farewell to the 21-year-old war.

Dr Garang, who officially launched a workshop to prepare final draft on governance for Southern Sudan at the Christian Women Empowerment Program Hall in Yei Town last weekend, said the draft would enable locals make informed choices during a referendum on whether the region should secede from the larger Sudan.

It would also ensure efficient delivery of services to Southern Sudanese people and the region’s government did not collapse in case the agreement reached in Naivasha was disowned.

Saying the taste of food was in the eating, Dr Garang ruled out fears that the SPLM/A would breach the peace agreement.

He was accompanied by Southern Sudan’s Head of Civil Service, Mr David Deng, Governor Equatoria region, Mr Samuel Abu John Kabashi, Chairman Commission of Administration, Judiciary and Law Enforcement Agencies, Mr Daniel Awet Akot and SPLM/A First Vice-Chairman and Chief of General Staff, Mr Salva Kiir Mayardit.