Sudan rejects Asmara as venue of negotiations with eastern rebels

KHARTOUM, Apr 5, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — A leader with the armed wing of the Beja Congress, Abdallah Kunnah, has disclosed that the government has agreed to enter direct negotiations with the Beja Congress on conditions that such negotiations will not be held in Eritrea.

Rebels from Sudan’s Eastern Front parade during a conference held by the Front north of Kassala town, near the Eritrean border. (AFP).

In a statement to Al-Sahafah and speaking from his residence in Asmara, Kunnah said the British officials who are trying to mediate between the government and the Beja Congress informed them that the government has agreed to negotiate.

However, he said the government has suggested either Sanaa, Jedda, or Cairo to be the venue for these negotiations instead of Asmara which the Beja Congress have proposed.

He said the government, which totally rejected Asmara as the venue for the negotiations, also set another condition for the talks by saying that the delegation of the negotiating eastern factions should be of high level.

Kunnah further said his faction would, at a later date, submit to the British officials its reply to these conditions.