Negotiations between the Sudanese government and southern rebels

The Sudanese official news agency said the government's commission for development in East Africa IGAD will organize a new round of negotiations between Khartoum and the southern Sudan rebels in Nairobi on June 17- 20.

The agency added that the meetings which will be attended by representatives for the IGAD's partners forum of the western states will discuss the distribution of authorities, wealth and the relations between the religion and the state.

Since 1993, IGAD has been supervising negotiations between Khartoum and the People's Army For the Liberation of Sudan led by col. John Garang. These negotiations are built on a declaration of principles that states the right of southern Sudan to self- determination.