Sudanese negotiations blocked
Sudan, Politics, 11/18/2002

Peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and the rebels reached a blockage yesterday because of differences in the view points between the two sides concerning the issue of sharing the authority and the resources.

Representatives for the rebels said that the two sides failed to reach an agreement in the talks they held in Kenya on Sunday, and that IGAD, which plays the role of the "brother" in these negotiations, gave a grace period for the two sides of 48 hours to reach a settlement.

Members of the rebels delegation in Mashakos said that they had approved an agreement proposed by western mediators, but the government's delegation did not accept it. The negotiations are expected to be resumed today in Neirobi. Mediators from IGAD said that a solution should be reached by tomorrow.

The talks will be suspended for one month because of the Kenyan elections and the fall of Ramadan holiday and the celebration of the Christmas. The talks will be resumed in January to discuss pending issues and to reach a permanent agreement for ceasefire.

The spokesman for the rebels Samsoun Kawaji said that "The talks collapsed and IGAD gave us a period of 48 hours to settle the differences in Nairobi." An official in the rebels movement said that the rebels approved that the President of Sudan to be from the government's side but on the ground that his deputy to be from the rebels and to be consulted in all decisions. He explained "the Presidency will not be rotated, but the President has to consult his deputy who should agree on all decisions." He added that the other points of disagreement lie in the volume of self rule which will be granted to a second regional government in southern Sudan, and the volume of the south's representation in the national government in the north, and ways of dividing the wealth.

Another official in the rebels said "we have reached a deadlock concerning the Vice President (position)."

Previous Stories:
  Afourki denies Asmara's tense relations with Sudan   (11/15/2002)
  Sudan FM confers with AL chief   (11/13/2002)
  Al-Anbaa: no delay in the Sudanese negotiations   (11/12/2002)

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