Sudan upbeat on peace pact

A final peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is likely to be signed towards the end of June, a senior government official said on Friday.

The government and the SPLMhave been at war for 20 years
The government and the SPLMhave been at war for 20 years

The government and the SPLM

have been at war for 20 years

Sudanese officials and SPLM members are currently meeting in Kenya.

 

Najib al-Khair Abdul Wahab, State Minister for Foreign Affairs said reports from Machakos, Kenya, “indicate much optimism for resolving the controversial issues” of power and resource sharing, security arrangements and preparations for a six-year transitional period.

 

He said he would travel to Kenya on Saturday to join the government delegation in negotiations taking place regarding development needs of Southern Sudan.

 

Some two million people have died in the 20 year war.  


The government and the SPLA signed a peace agreement last July, which provided for a six-year period of autonomy for the South before a referendum on the region’s political future.

 

Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and SPLA leader John Garang have said they hope to reach a final peace agreement by June.