15 Sudanese soldiers, 30 rebels killed in a new attack; Kenya's peace talks fail
Sudan, Politics, 7/14/2003

The efforts of the Sudanese government and the rebels have failed to achieve peace in the country after the two sides failed to agree on issues of sharing resources and authority.

News reports concerned in Kenya where the negotiations were held said that the government refused proposals of IGAD organization in being unbalanced and inapplicable.

The news reports added that the two delegations taking part in the negotiations agreed in conclusion of the round of talks held in Nakoro resort in Kenya to return back to their leaders to discuss what they had reached and to agree on a new date for the next round of negotiations. The talks are being held under the patronage of IGAD, the regional African organization and with intensive American, British and Kenyan presence.

The two sides of the Sudanese conflict signed in July 2002 in Mashakos, Kenya a peace agreement stating for a provisional period of six years during which self-rule will be given to southern Sudan before a referendum will be held over self- determination. The aim of these negotiations is to maintain an agreement on self- rule issues especially sharing authorities and resources between the south and the north.

Following the announcement of the failure of the negotiations, the northern opposition parties issued a statement in which they urged the government not to back away from the Mashakos agreement and warned it that "options are very limited.. and there are two definite ways: either peace or war. Either democracy or pursuing the road of tyranny. Either national unity or partitions, Diaspora and cessation." The statement called on President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to respond to the Khartoum declaration which demands putting an end to the one party era and forming a provisional government in preparation for the new elections. The statement was undersigned by 18 opposition parties and 15 non- governmental organizations and political figures.

However, the Khartoum announcement constitutes one of the points of differences after the government refused in Kenya negotiations to suspend work in the Islamic Sharia in the capital during the provisional period.

The government also refuses a proposal to chop part of Khartoum and making it a national common capital.

Previous Stories:
  New Sudanese conditions for signing an agreement with Garang   (7/12/2003)
  al-Hyatt al-Seyasia: Syrian- Sudanese relations are prosperous   (7/12/2003)
  Egyptian-Sudanese water ventures under discussion   (7/11/2003)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search