SPLM requests Egypt's assistance for concluding a final peace agreement with Khartoum
Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 9/30/2004

Following talks during which he briefed Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak on the progress of the Sudanese negotiations, the situation in southern Sudan, Darfur, the national reconciliation dialogue held in Cairo and the international attitude towards the Sudanese issue, John Garang, the leader of the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) stressed the importance of going ahead with negotiations in Nivasha for concluding a final peace agreement in order to achieve peace allover the Sudan.

Following the meeting, Garang described as excellent his talks with President Mubarak, pointing out that they tackled the situation in Sudan, peace negotiation in Nivasha, the situation in Darfur region and the ongoing dialogue in Cairo between the Sudanese government and the Democratic National Grouping.

The talks covered the international stance regarding the Sudanese issue and the need to resume Nivasha negotiations in order to conclude a final peace agreement as a necessary step towards realizing peace all over the country, he said, asserting the need for Egypt's support in this respect.

As for the situation in Darfur, Garang said that the SPLM believes in the importance of obtaining self-rule in Darfur and south and east Sudan.

Asked whether or not a final agreement is expected to be reached during Nivasha talks to be held in October 7, he said that six protocols have already been signed during the month of June and two supplements should be agreed upon. One is on reaching a cease fire agreement and the other pertains to ways to implement the agreements reached, he said.

He voiced hope that an agreement would be reached on these two supplements as soon as possible.

He claimed that the Sudanese government is acting intendedly to waste time, saying four months have passed after July agreement.

He said a final agreement should have been signed in Nivasha in August or September but it was the Sudanese government which asked for delaying talks due to its preoccupation with Darfur crisis.

He claimed that among the reasons behind the government delay is that it would find itself obliged to divide oil proceeds after signing the agreement in order to get 50%, referring to high oil prices at the present time.

Garang warned of any delay saying it could lead to disintegration of the Sudan and this does not serve the interests of any party.

The SPLM leader also met with Mahmoud Abu Zeid, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, with the two discussing prospects of Egyptian contribution to developing water research in Sudan, especially in the south.

Garang also met with Dr. Amr Samah, the Minister of Higher Educatioon.

They discussed means of enhancing cooperation between Egypt and the Sudan in the post peace era.

They also discussed the resumption of the educational missions in the Sudan and the establishment of a branch for Alexandria University in southern Sudan.

Previous Stories:
  Garang to meet with Egyptian officials on peace talks in Sudan   (9/27/2004)
  Nazif attends signing Sudanese import deal   (9/24/2004)
  Cairo to host new round of Sudan talks on Sept. 28   (9/20/2004)

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

Search