Southern pro-govt militias express wish to join talks as third party

Khartoum, Aug 15, 2004 (MENA) — The South Sudan Defence Troops Sunday asserted full support for the peace process and the government in conformity with the signed Khartoum peace agreement.

A statement by the 52,000-strong force said the current security arrangements do not permit at all the entry of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement troops to areas under their control in the south.

The troops wish to join security and military preparations negotiations between the government and the SPLM as a third party.