Inter- Sudanese peace talks extended until Monday
Sudan, Politics, 3/17/2004

The Sudanese government and the southern rebels decided to extend the bilateral peace talks which aim at settling the case of sharing the authority and agreement on the areas under disputes for several days.

Sources close to the talks said that the negotiations were extended until Monday in order to give the two sides a grace period to discuss pending issues. Members of the participating delegations said that the progress in the recent round of talks which started on February 17 is slow and stumbled concerning the oil rich Eibi area.

Officials in the Sudanese government expressed their conviction that the rebels are trying to annex Eibi area in preparation to separate from the north by the ultimate end.

However, the current round of negotiations was due to end yesterday Tuesday, but the Kenyan mediator Lazaros Somboyo explained that the talks will not end today and will continue. The Sudanese Vice President Ali Othman Taha joined al-Bashir to the talks last week after his return back from Khartoum where he had held consultations with Bashir and he was joined by the leader of the rebels, John Garang.

According to an earlier signed agreement on the peace talks, the people of the south will vote for a referendum during 6 years for separation of staying as an integral part of Sudan.

Previous Stories:
  Khartoum criticizes an American report over Darfour   (3/15/2004)
  Washington's delegation withdraws from following Sudanese peace negotiations   (3/13/2004)
  Arab youth ministers council conclude meetings in Khartoum   (3/10/2004)

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