Khartoum still committed to peace talks with SPLA: Kenyan FM

KHARTOUM, Aug 20 (AFP) — Khartoum remains committed to peace negotiations in Kenya with southern rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army despite reports that it was pulling out, Kenyan Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka said after talks here Wednesday.

Musyoka, who described his meetings with top Sudanese officials including President Omar al-Beshir, Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail and peace advisor Ghazi Salah Eddin Atabani as “good,” said: “It is our intention that the current peace talks should continue.

“All of us agreed that the IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority on Development — an east African regional grouping) initiative is the best option for achieving peace in the Sudan as well as in the region.”

An independent Khartoum daily, Al-Sahafa, had reported Tuesday that the talks in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki had been indefintely postponed after Khartoum refused to negotiate on the basis of a draft deal drawn up by the east African mediators.

But the SPLA Wednesday denied the report saying that the talks were still ongoing.

“The talks have not collapsed and no adjournment has been made,” Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) deputy spokesman George Garang told AFP by telephone from Nanyuki.

“Khartoum and SPLA are still holding consultations and expected to hold face-to-face negotiations … for a possible agreement by the September 20 deadline.”