Sudanese peace talks to resume after Ramadan

The Kenyan mediator Lazaraos Simbayo announced yesterday that the peace talks which are being held in Nivasha between the Sudanese (first) vice president Ali Othman Taha and the leader of the southern rebels John Garang were postponed until November 30th because of the fall of the holly month of Ramadan.

In a press statement he made in the presence of Taha and Garang, Simbayo said that the "two sides agreed .. to suspend the negotiations in Ramadan and setting November 30 as a date to resume it." He continued "a progress was attained in solving certain aspects of pending issues and there are still other issues in need of putting financial touches on."

He added that the "two sides agreed to keep contacts at a higher level during this period to solve pending issues." He also said that "the two sides appreciated the encouragement made by the US secretary of state to them" during his recent visit to Nivasha and they are repeating today their commitment to the decision they had taken to reach a comprehensive agreement before the end of 2003.