Sudan reiterates readiness for lasting ceasefire in the Two Areas

August 11, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese presidential assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid reiterated the readiness of his government to reach a lasting ceasefire agreement with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North to end the four-year conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

Hamid was interviewed by several TV stations and the official Radio Omdurman where he lengthily spoke about the commitment of the ruling National Congress Party to hold an inclusive process for peace and reforms in Sudan.

He said they agreed with the head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and chief mediator Thabo Mbeki contact the SPLM-N rebels to prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations in order to end the armed conflict in the Two Areas.

“We reiterated our readiness to resume peace negotiations with the SPLM-N whenever the other party is ready to reach a permanent peace agreement with the government,” said the presidential assistant.

The Sudanese official underscored that his government seeks “a permanent ceasefire and not a cessation of hostilities agreement”.

During the last round of talks held in Addis Ababa in November last year, the SPLM-N negotiating team insisted on a humanitarian cessation of hostilities enabling aid workers to reach the affected civilians in the war zones.

The Sudanese rebel group rejects the demand saying the government wants a security arrangements agreement including the disarmament of its combatants before to hold a popular consultation on the administrative situation of the Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

Hamid who seemingly will replace the former presidential aide Ibrahim Ghandour and lead the government delegation for future peace talks said they did not agree with Mbeki on a date for the next round of negotiations.

Also, he clearly rejected any discussions with the rebel groups in Darfur region, saying the Doha Document For Peace in Darfur (DDPD) proposes a set of solution for the conflict.

He added they can only sign a security arrangements agreements with them and then the armed groups can join the national dialogue process to discuss any other issues.

Last December, Mbeki adjourned indefinitely talks between the government and two groups, Justice and Equality Movement and Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi. The rebels at the time called to open the DDPD and to widen the scope of negotiations.

The presidential aide hailed the efforts of the German government to facilitate peace and national dialogue in Sudan, adding that the American administration does not play any role for a negotiated settlement.

“US administration supports the dialogue within the framework of the Troika countries but Germany pushes strongly (to achieve peace and dialogue in Sudan),” he said when asked about the American involvement in the ongoing efforts for peace in the country.

The chief mediator is expected to meet the rebel groups in Addis Ababa during the upcoming days for a consultations meeting after his recent visit to Khartoum where he held talks with President Omer al-Bashir on 3 August.

(ST)