Sudan: SPLM leader denies rumours of rift

NAIROBI, Nov 24, 2004 (Sudan Radio Service) — Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) leader Dr John Garang has dismissed rumours that there is a rift in the leadership of the movement.

In a press conference in Nairobi last week, Dr Garang dismissed the rumour as wishful thinking, fabricated by enemies of peace.

Garang said to the radio “Our occupation now is peace and nobody in southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains or Southern Blue Nile would want to cause a split when we are going into peace. I don’t see what the motivation would be. This could be the fabrication of people who do not want peace. But let me say it was complete fabrication”.

Rumours have been circulating within the Sudanese community in Nairobi alleging that there are differences in the top leadership of the SPLM.

Material from the BBC Monitoring Service