The negotiation process between the Sudanese government and the SPLA-North rebel group is still continuing in Addis Ababa amid claims of diverging interests.

The African Union, who mediates the process under the leadership of Thabo Mbeki, brought the two sides together for another round of talks which began last week.

Adam Karshom, a member of the SPLM-N negotiating team, told Radio Tamazuj Monday that there was a divergence in positions between the two sides.

He pointed out that the Khartoum government is still sticking to a comprehensive ceasefire while the SPLA-N demands cessation of hostilities for humanitarian access.

He added that Khartoum wants to be the one to deliver aid to the conflict-affected people in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions held by the rebels, while the SPLA-N rejects that.

“The government wants to prove aid so that we open our territories, then it will come in with its organizations and this is not acceptable” he said. “We also differed on the National Dialogue. We want the cessation of hostilities so that the humanitarian assistance can be provided through neighbouring countries not through Khartoum” he added.

Karshom also confirmed that the viewpoints between the two sides are still far apart on the ongoing National Dialogue in Khartoum.

“The Khartoum government told us to surrender our arms and show them our positions, and this thing will not bring peace”.