Sudan ceasefire talks move to Kenyan capital

NAIROBI, July 21, 2004 (Xinhua) — Sudan peace talks aimed at ending the 21-year old civil war between the Khartoum government and southern rebels have been relocated to Nairobi from the lakeside town of Naivasha, mediators said Wednesday.

Kenyan special envoy and chief negotiator, Lazarus Sumbeiywo said the two parties had been forced to move from Naivasha, 80 km from Nairobi due to hotel accommodation problems.

Held amid high expectations, the negotiations between Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) covering details of a comprehensive cease-fire and how to implement various deals signed since July 2002 were expected to conclude by Monday.

Sumbeiywo expressed optimism the two parties will overcome the outstanding issues. “The talks are quite okay. They are proceeding well,” he added.

Sudan watchers have said that a deal will shift pressure to another conflict raging in Sudan’s western Darfur region, which erupted in February since a revolt against the Arab-dominated government broke out among indigenous ethnic minorities in February 2003.