Sudanese govt, opposition alliance to resume talks in Egypt

CAIRO, Sep 18, 2004 (MENA) — The National Democratic Alliance, an umbrella group of Sudanese opposition parties, Saturday said it would begin a new round of talks with the Khartoum government in Cairo on 28 September.

“Preparations are under way for the Cairo meeting as scheduled for 28 September,” AbdalRahman Said, the deputy leader of the NDA, told MENA.

Sa’id did not believe the suspension of peace talks between the government and the two Darfur rebel movements in the Nigerian capital Abuja would cast a pall on other negotiating pathways to follow.

He confirmed that delegations were to arrive in Cairo for the expected talks, which the Sudanese opposition leader said which would be co-chaired by Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman Taha and NDA leader Muhammad Osman al-Mirghani.

On 9 September, NDA announced a decision to disband its military wing and return to Sudan – much to boost chances for peace with the government.

The NDA military arm is based in east Sudan and Eritrea. It engaged in several armed combats with the Sudanese government in east Sudan.