IGAD ignores an Arab request to attend negotiations; al-Bashir: 80% of differences settled
Sudan, Politics, 8/28/2003

The Sudanese President Omar Hasan al-Bashir stressed yesterday that more than 80% of the problems impeding the realization of peace in Sudan were solved, just four days after announcing the halt of negotiations with the rebels of Sudan in Kenya.

Meantime, an official in the Arab League disclosed yesterday that the AL asked the government's commission for development IGAD to take part as an observer in the Sudanese peace negotiations which will be resumed on September 10th in Kenya, but the commission has not yet answered this request despite the approval of the two sides of the conflict: the Sudanese government and the southern rebels (Sudan People Liberation Army).

The Sudanese president confirmed to Kenya's new ambassador in Sudan that "so far in the course of the peace process which is supported by IGAD, some 80% of problems impeding the Sudanese problem were solved," adding that "IGAD is still an important dynamo to reach the peace, which is the strategic option for the government." An AL official said that Sudan's question will be debated to the meeting at the AL a the level of foreign ministers in September in Cairo after the 7th round of negotiations was suspended on August 23rd because of differences between the two sides on the agenda.

On the other hand, the political bureau of the Sudanese Umma party ( nation party), one of the main opposition parties said yesterday it had decided to boycott any dialogue with the government and other organizations "unless an appropriate atmosphere is provided," especially towards lifting the emergency law and abrogating laws which limit freedoms and releasing political detainees.

The party decided to launch "an intensive campaign in the country and abroad in order to pressure the government and the rebels to sign a peace agreement before the end of September.

However, a group of Sudanese opposition parties, including the Umma party and the democratic unionist party as well as pro parties held a meeting with the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on August 16 in order to launch a national dialogue.

Previous Stories:
  Moussa confers with chairman of the Sudanese Umma party   (8/26/2003)
  Inter- Sudanese negotiations in Kenya suspended indefinitely   (8/23/2003)
  Syrian - Sudanese relations are strong   (8/23/2003)

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