Sudanese president to share power, wealth

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Oct 4, 2004 (UPI) — Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said Monday he wants to apply peace terms sealed with southern rebels on the country’s underprivileged provinces.

In a move apparently aimed at settling the armed rebellion in Darfur in western Sudan, al-Bashir told the opening of a new parliament session the government will generalize the peace agreement with the south on the whole country “within the framework of a new equation aimed at sharing power and wealth between the center and the provinces.”

“The agreement for sharing the country’s wealth will be considered in the new budget to be issued in the beginning of next year,” al-Bashir said, in a move obviously aimed at deterring rebellion in parts of the country that suffer from political and economic marginalization.

The Sudanese president underscored his government’s determination to continue its efforts to seal a final peace agreement with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army led by John Garang, “despite violations committed by the southern rebels of initial peace accords.”

He also stressed Sudan’s keenness to “keep up efforts to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Darfur” and continue peace negotiations with the rebels despite the failure of the first round of peace talks.