Kenyan FM optimistic Sudan peace talks deadlock can be overcome

CAIRO, Aug 16 (AFP) — Kenyan Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka, whose country is the main mediator in Sudanese peace talks, expressed optimism Saturday that a deal could be clinched despite reports the talks have reached an impasse.

“The whole world knows that there is a wonderful window of opportunity that has not to be missed,” Musyoka told reporters in response to questions about the deadlock in talks in Kenya between the Sudanese government and southern rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).

“We hope to encourage the parties to continue negotiating in absolute good faith,” he said.

Earlier an SPLA official told AFP the talks were on the verge of collapse after the Khartoum government refused to negotiate on the basis of a framework document drawn up by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the east African regional body that is mediating in the talks.

The previous round of talks broke down on July 12 when Khartoum rejected the IGAD document on outstanding issues, such as power- and wealth-sharing and security arrangements for a promised seven-year period of autonomy for the south ahead of a referendum on independence.

The two-decade Sudanese civil war has claimed the lives of at least 1.5 million people and displaced four million more.