Sudanese minister killed in plane crash in South Kordofan

August 19, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs was killed in a plane crash this morning in Talodi, South Kordofan, the official a news agency announced today.

Minister Ghazi Al-Sadiq was heading with other government officials to the troubled state to perform Eid prayer, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when his plane went down, killing him and the accompanying delegation.

There are no details about the cause of the incident but the government said the plane crashed due to harsh weather conditions on the outskirts of Talodi airport.

The Sudanese government has been fighting a rebellion in South Kordofan led by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) since June 2011.

Talks have been held by the two parties since July, in implementation of a roadmap prepared by the African Union mediation team and endorsed by the UN Security Council in its resolution 2046.

Talks are expected to resume during the last week of August, after the signing of a humanitarian agreement to distribute food to the affected civilians in the rebel held areas.

(ST)