Khartoum suspends contacts with the opposition national coalition
Sudan, Politics, 3/2/2004

Sudanese press reports said that the Khartoum government suspended contacts with the opposition national coalition which it had signed with its chairman a framework agreement in December 2003.

This step came following the coalition inclusion of Darfour rebels who are fighting the government in the west, while the government is preparing to convene a reconciliation conference to settle the conflict in Darfour.

In statements in Cairo, the Sudanese foreign minister said following his meeting with the secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, that his country's government formed a committee of 100 figures to prepare for the conference due to be held in March.

He added that members of this committee are in charge of contacting the people of Darfour inside the country and abroad for convening the conference.

A rebel movement calling itself "Sudan's liberation front" alleged that Darfour area is neglected and does not win enough representation in governmental institutions and had recently claimed responsibility for several attacks in this area.

For its part, Khartoum denied these allegations and considered members of this movement as outlaws. The government denies the political feature of the rebel movement and confirm that acts of violence sweeping the area are caused by gangs of armed criminals.

On the other hand, the Sudanese foreign minister said that the current negotiations with the people's army for the liberation of Sudan continue to be standstill at the two issues of sharing the authority and the fate of the three areas of al-Nouba mountains, the southern Blue Nile province, and Eibi.

Ismael said that no progress has been so far achieved in the negotiations which are to continue until the mid of next month.

Previous Stories:
  UN suspends its aids to southern Sudan   (2/28/2004)
  Turabi accuses the government of feeding the conflict in Darfour   (2/26/2004)
  Khartoum: Hamas new representative assumes work   (2/25/2004)

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