Differences over sharing oil revenues obstruct Sudanese peace negotiations

Current peace negotiations in Kenya between Sudan's (First) Vice-President, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha, and leader of southern rebels, John Garang, stumbled yesterday over sharing oil resources.

An official in the government's commission for development (IGAD) said that "the negotiations are almost in a bottleneck concerning the percentage of oil revenues the government will share" with the rebels. Worthy mentioning that Sudan produces 300,000 barrels of oil daily, representing 43 % of the government's resources, according to the Sudanese ministry of energy and mines.

During the few past months, the two sides showed great enthusiasm towards reaching a peace agreement sponsored by IGAD by the fall of the current year, in order to put an end to a civil war that has lasted for 20 years. The program of the negotiations stated to discuss the situation of three geographic areas in the heart of the country in addition to sharing resources.

The main negotiator, the Kenyan Gen. Lazaraos Simbayo announced in Nivasha resort, north west Nairobi, where the talks are being held, announced that the two sides "are making efforts to reach an agreement on sharing resources." It was expected that this session of negotiation would have concluded yesterday. During a previous round, an agreement was reached on security during the provisional period which will last for 6 years, and during which the south will enjoy self rule, after which, according to a referendum, it would decide if it wants to stay within Sudan or to get split from it.