Norway proposes conference for Sudan's peace efforts

Norway intends to host a conference for donor states to Sudan after the government and the rebels have reach a final peace agreement by the end of the year.

The minister of development Helda Johnson whose country together with the US constitute a tripartite consultancy commission in the Sudanese affairs, in Nivasha town in Kenya said "we have what makes us optimistic." The statement of Norway's minister came after the Sudanese peace talks held in Nivasha between the Sudanese (First) Vice President Ali Othman Taha and the leader of southern rebels John Garang were paused until November 30 because of the fall of the holy month of Ramadan.

Both the Sudanese government and the rebels have been in talks since October 17. The Kenyan mediator Lazaraos Simbayo said in a statement on Sunday that progress was achieved in solving certain aspects of pending issues while other issues are still in need of drawing final touches.