Sudan says peace talks with SPLM-N on Two Areas postponed
October 5, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s chief negotiator, Ibrahim Ghandour, has disclosed that the talks with the rebel Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) on the Two Areas have been postponed until after October 25th.
Ghandour said in press statements on Sunday that the government received an official invitation from Mbeki to join the next round of talks, underscoring that they will engage in the talks with a clear vision on solutions for the problem in South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions.
He added that the delay of an earlier proposed date was caused by the engagement of several government negotiators in preparations for the ruling National Congress Party’s (NCP) general convention starting from 17 October, besides presence of several others in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.
Due to these circumstances, the head of the African Union mediation team proposed to delay the meeting for a dozen of days, the presidential assistant said.
“Mbeki saw that [government negotiators will not be able to make the previous date] and that is why we agreed to hold the next round after October 25th”, he stressed.
In line with a decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council the talks with the rebel groups should be followed by an all parties meeting at the headquarters of the African organisation to discuss a framework agreement for the national dialogue process.
The border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state have been the scene of a violent conflict since 2011 when fighting broke out between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army.
NATIONAL DIALOGUE COMMITTEE MEETING
In another issue, the NCP official said the national dialogue committee known as 7+7 will meet immediately after Eid al-Adha holidays.
He said the meeting will be followed by another extended one headed by president Omer Hassan al-Bashir with the 83 political parties which agreed to participate in the dialogue in order to discuss the Addis Ababa agreement and other issues.
Last September, Paris declaration signatories comprised of the rebel alliance of the Sudan Revolutionary Forces (SRF) and the National Umma Party (NUP) on one side and the 7+7 committee inked an agreement on national dialogue and constitutional process in Addis Ababa.
The government refuses to postpone the general election and to form a national cabinet to implement the outcome of the process. However president al-Bashir said they accept only to include more ministers from the other parties at the end of the dialogue which should end war and adopt the principles of a new constitution.
(ST)