Sudanese security team expected in Juba for peace talks

File photo: Chief Mediator Tut Gatluak

Peace talks between the Sudanese government and opposition groups are expected to resume in the South Sudanese capital, Juba this week, the chief mediator announced.

Peace talks between the Sudanese government and opposition groups are expected to resume in the South Sudanese capital, Juba this week, the chief mediator announced. 

Speaking to reporters in Juba on Monday, Tut Gatluak said a high-level security delegation from Khartoum will arrive in Juba on Thursday to discuss the security arrangements dossier with armed movements to reach a final agreement.

He pointed out that the Sudanese parties have already agreed on issues related to power-sharing, including the representation of armed movements in the sovereign council, ministerial portfolios, states, and the legislative assemblies.

The armed groups who are part of the ongoing peace talks include the opposition coalition Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF).

Gatluak said the SPLM-N led by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu still awaits a response from the transitional government in Khartoum on issues it had presented at the negotiating table, adding that the two sides will begin talks once the government delegation arrives in Juba.

According to the chief mediator, the Sudanese parties are likely to reach a final peace agreement within 10 days from next week.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and rebels in the Kordofan and Blue Nile regions broke out in 2011, and conflict in Darfur began in 2003.

These groups had fought against former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and are now seeking to be included in the new transitional government in Khartoum.