Negotiations between Sudanese government and opposition in February

Negotiations between representatives of the Sudanese government and the opposition from the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Sudan, led by John Garang, will be held during February. The locations of the meetings has not been decided yet.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Osman Mohamed Taha confirmed this news and said Sudan will participate in the direct negotiations that will be held in Nairobi next April.

The Sudanese minister called on Garang to offer concessions and said the Sudanese government is ready to offer guarantees to build confidence between the two sides to reach a final settlement.

He also called on the U.S. to show its good intentions and support the efforts exerted to establish peace and security in southern Sudan and to lift the economic sanctions which were imposed last November.