Sudan rebel leader: peace process would continue

CAIRO, Sep 30, 2004 (AP) — The leader of Sudan ‘s southern rebels said Thursday he was confident the peace process would continue although he accused the government of delaying a conclusion of negotiations to end the 21-year-old civil war.

John Garang, leader of Sudan ‘s People Liberation Army, also urged Sudan ‘s neighbors and the international community to put pressure on the government to comply with the peace agreements both sides have signed.

He said that although the Khartoum government was delaying an end to the negotiations, “I do not think anybody can turn back the clock of the peace process.”

Peace talks to end the southern rebellion have reached its final stages. The parties have signed six protocols on how to share power and natural wealth, what to do with their armed forces during a six-year transition period and how to administer three disputed areas in central Sudan .

Under the agreements signed on May 26 in Naivasha, Kenya, a referendum should be organized six years after a final peace treaty is reached to determine the future of the south.

The war in southern Sudan is different from the Darfur rebellion in the country’s west. The southern rebellion is a conflict between the government in Khartoum, which is dominated by Muslim Arabs, and mostly African Christian and animist rebels.