Ibrahim Ghandour, head of the Sudanese government delegation at the negotiations in Addis Ababa with rebel group SPLA-North, said Saturday he is optimistic about achieving peace in the ‘Two Areas’ of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
He was speaking after a three-hour meeting with SPLM-North and the African Union mediators, who have been preparing a draft document for the two sides, which is yet to be made public.
Saturday was the fourth day of the talks. Both sides had traded accusations of insincerity on Friday, but the opening session Wednesday was market by optimism and the Saturday session was reportedly ‘fruitful.’
The African Union has said that this round of negotiations will focus on security matters to end hostilities in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions as well as secure humanitarian access into rebel-held areas.
A related focus of the government delegation is securing participation of SPLA-North in the ‘National Dialogue’ initiated by the country’s ruling party – though formal discussions on this issue may wait until separate talks later this month with the rebel group’s parent organization, Sudan Revolutionary Front.
Ghandour said that the government is ready to reach a framework agreement with SPLA-North leading to further negotiations through four thematic committees on humanitarian, political and security matters, as well as the question of participation in the National Dialogue.
He said the parties yesterday agreed to make minor amendments to the AU paper presented during their most recent meeting.
Meanwhile, the SPLA-North delegation spokesmen Mubarak Ardol said in a statement there should be no cessation of hostilities agreement in the Two Areas without also including Darfur.
He cited a recent AU Peace and Security Council resolution which said ceasefire agreements in these areas should be ‘synchronized.’
SPLA-North has included the leader of Darfur rebel movement SLA-MM in its delegation. The latter is also lead contact between umbrella group SRF and the National Dialogue committee.
Mubarak Ardol stressed that their participation in the dialogue will come after a preparatory meeting at the headquarters of the African Union, as called for by the AU.
Related:
Timeline: Build-up to the current ‘Two Areas’ talks (15 Nov.)
Talks on Sudan’s ‘Two Areas’ open in Addis (13 Nov.)