Kenyan FM hopes Sudanese could soon sign peace deal, end civil war

Khartoum, Aug 20, 2003 (dpa) — Kenyan Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka arrived in the Sudanese capital Khartoum Wednesday to mediate peace talks, aimed at ending a civil war between the government and rebels in the south of the county.

In a statement upon his arrival Musyoka said Kenya would make every effort to ensure the government and the rebel Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) signed a permanent peace settlement.

He expressed optimism the civil war in Southern Sudan would end soon, through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) brokered peace talks.

Sudanese presidential peace advisor Ghazi Salah El Din told journalists, after meeting with Musyoka, that Kenya’s role was to bring together the warring parties after a deadlock was experienced during the seventh round of peace talks which began August 10.

Musyoka is expected to meet later with Sudanese President Omer El Beshir. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has already praised the controversial Nakuru draft peace proposals presented by the IGAD.