Garang expresses SPLA's readiness to extend cease-fire
Sudan, Politics, 8/18/1998

The leader of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, John Garang, discussed with French Minister Delegate to Cooperation and Francophony Charles Josselin during their visit to Cairo expanding the timing and geographic range of the cease-fire in southern Sudan, to guarantee that aid can reach those harmed by the famine.

Before leaving Cairo for Sudan, Garang, who participated in the meetings of the Sudanese opposition Democratic National Alliance, confirmed to ArabicNews.com the movement's commitment to the cease-fire in Bahr El-Gazal for humanitarian purposes and to deliver food to the needy.

Then he expressed the movement's readiness to examine any request for continuing the cease-fire in Bahr El-Gazal after the current three-month agreement ends, if the humanitarian situation demands this.

Garang stated that a cease-fire can not be totally achieved unless the Sudanese government and rebels agree upon the suggested objective, political and essential issues on IGAD's agenda, clarifying that it is a political problem.

The meeting between Garang and Josselin was scheduled to be held on last Wednesday in southern Sudan, but the circumstances of Garang's travel to Cairo prevented the meeting.

While in Sudan, Josselin met with high-ranking officials and representatives of international organizations concerned with humanitarian affairs in Sudan, and he was informed about the processes of delivering humanitarian aid to the South. He also visited the immigrants camp in the region of Mayo, south of Khartoum.

Garang asserted the SPLA's adherence to IGAD's initiative.

Concerning the constitution established by the Sudanese government, Garang told the French minister that this constitution has provided no liberties and the absence of democracy, and said polling the Sudanese about a constitution containing the Islamic Front's agenda is a sort of contradiction in itself.

Garang said they agreed with Josselin upon the humanitarian work in the South, its expansion and discussing the appropriate mechanisms to achieve this.

Previous Stories:
  Sudan calls on Garang to ease access to aid in the south   (8/17/1998)
  Sudan opposition meeting starts today   (8/15/1998)
  Garang visits Cairo   (8/10/1998)

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