Sudanese peace delegation in Juba for talks with rebel movements
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - A high level Sudan government delegation led by a senior member of the Sovereign Council, the country's collective presidency, arrived in Juba, capital of South Sudan, on Sunday for peace talks with leaders of Sudanese rebel movements.
The government delegation is led by Lieutenant-General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who immediately called on South Sudan President Salva Kiir to assure him that the delegation had come for business.
President Kiir said he was sure that peace remained a common objective for both Sudan and South Sudan and that he was sure the Sudanese meeting in Juba will reach a final deal this time.
Preparations have been completed, according to a South Sudan government spokesperson, Tut Galwak, for the kick-off of the talks on Monday. The spokesman said it was imperative for the two Sudanese sides to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable peace in their country.
Galwak said the opening session would be attended by the Sudanese Sovereign Council President, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Fattah Al-Burhan, who will arrive in Juba on Monday. He said invitations have were also been sent to leaders of Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
The movements from the Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile and Darfur regions are taking part in the talks.
The programme set by Dr Abdullah Hamdouk, the Prime minister that took over following the ousting of President Omar al Bashir, said peace would be the first priority of the government and is expected to make a breakthrough in the first 100 days.
He said in his first press briefing that achievement of peace and removal of the name of Sudan from the list of countries considered sponsors of international terrorism remain top priority if the country is to overcome its economic woes.
Most of the Sudanese rebel movements, especially those from the Nuba and Blue Nile regions, used to be part of the umbrella Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement that succeeded in the break-away and ultimate independence of South Sudan in 2011.
These movements kept strong relations, though they denied in public to have any coordination with the South Sudan government. President Kiir argued that his knowledge of the leaders of those movements during the war of liberation helps him facilitate a peace deal.
The high level Sudan government delegation comprises the Sovereign Council members: Gen. Shams-Eddin Kabbashi, Gen. Yasser Al-Atta, Mohamed Hassan Al-Taayeshi and Mohamed Al-Fekki Suleiman.
The others are Cabinet Affairs Minister, Dr. Omer Manis, Minister of Federal Government, Dr. Yusuf Adam Al-Dhay and the Chairman of the Commission for Peace, Dr. Suleiman Adan Debello.
-0- PANA MO/MA 14Oct2019
