Khartoum gets ready for talks with rebels, lauds South Sudan gov't peace efforts
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudan on Saturday commended efforts exerted by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, to reconcile armed rebel movements with the nascent civilian government led by Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah Hamdouk.
Tot Galwak, South Sudan Special Envoy and Advisor for Security Affairs with President Kiir, on Saturday arrived to Khartoum with a letter to Lt General Abdul Fatah Al Burahan, head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council the collective presidency.
Galwak called on Lt General Burhan and handed him a message from president Kiir on peace realization efforts for the Sudan. Galwak also met later with Prime Minister, Dr Hamdouk.
Hamdouk received Galwak the visiting Advisor for Security Affairs of the President of South Sudan, stressed that it was high time for negotiating with the armed movements to kick off as they were considered an integral part of the change process in the Sudan.
The South Sudanese official has affirmed Juba was keen and ready to help the Sudan achieve peace.
The Sudanese rebel movements who until 2011 used to be part of the Sudan people’s liberation army-movement, kept close relation with the movement that is now running south Sudan under Kiir. They used to be one movement but after the south Sudanese opted for separation, they still maintained close relations, although south Sudan denied any support or backing for the now Sudanese rebel movements, including those from Darfur region.
Gen Al-Burhan had earlier in the day received a written message from South Sudanese President General, Salva Kiir Mayardit.
In press statement the South Sudan official said the message dealt with an invitation to Sudanese rebel movements to visit Juba, capital of south Sudan, for discussions on how to reach a comprehensive peace in Sudan.
According to the constitutional documents signed last month, Sudanese civilian government first priority is to end the war the country, during the first three months in power. The Prime minister three days ago told the nation the war is consuming up to 75% of Sudan’s budget, thus the need to end the war at any cost.
Hamdouk is reportedly said to be stressing that his personal involvement during work with the UN and AU and his direct contacts at the time with the leaders of the rebel movements would help his reach an agreement with them. In fact in his first press conference as prime minister when he was announcing his government, he described the rebel leaders as “our brothers in the armed struggle” a terms used only by rebel leaders in describing each other.
South Sudan has already brought to Juba a number of representatives of the armed movements from Blue Nile, Nuba Mountains and from the National alliance for preparatory meetings that
-0-PANA MO/VAO 7Sept2019
