Khartoum reconciles with the northern opposition in Cairo

The reconciliation agreement was signed on Sunday evening between the Sudanese government and the opposition democratic national coalition.

The agreement which was initialed, determines the future of the Sudan east coalition forces and the rate of their participation in the interim government. It is also considered a completion for Nairobi agreement signed this month between the Sudanese government and the southern rebels led by John Garang.

Well-informed sources in the coalition which includes 13 parties said that the two sides of negotiations were able on Sunday to find solutions for most pending issues that used to prevent signing the agreement by Saturday's deadline. The question of forces affiliated to the democratic coalition in east Sudan is considered one of the main disputable issues between the two sides.

The sources explained that the preliminary agreement will state on launching the freedom of the trade union, political and press freedoms in the country and it will also include a governmental decision to bring back all persons sacked for political reasons from government's posts, noting that committees were formed to follow up pending issues.

These negotiations were launched according to the "Jeddah protocol" signed between Taha and al-Meirghani in December 2003. Signing the peace agreement in Nivasha between Southern Sudan rebels and the government of Khartoum accelerated the pace of peace between the government and the coalition.