Sudan’s transitional government and the main rebel group kicked off a new round of peace talks Wednesday, officials said, the latest effort to end a decades-long conflict in the East African country.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir is hosting the talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Popular Liberation Movement – North, led by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu.
The opening session of the peace negotiations between Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) North began on Wednesday in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Opening the session, the UN envoy for Sudan said: “We encourage all parties to work towards peace,” while the US envoy for Sudan, Donald Booth, said: “Peace negotiations should die supporting the transition phase We can achieve peace with the help of international partners. “
The chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Northern “, Abdul Aziz Al-Hilu, said:” We reaffirm our determination to achieve a peaceful solution in Sudan. “We are committed to a just and sustainable peace in Sudan.”
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok said: “We appreciate die South Sudan’s role in achieving peace, “adding” We are in the situation, die Solve Sudan’s problems and implement our commitments. “
He continued: “We want die Reaping the fruits of change in Sudan … Diversity in Sudan is die Basis of unity … The search for peace is a priority in Sudan. “
Hamdok believed that “it is our duty to overcome difficulties and challenges in order to achieve peace. The Sudanese are waiting for a peace agreement with the SPLM-N in the north” and urge Abdel Wahid Nour and die “Sudan Liberation Movement” to “join” die Trail of peace. “
The President of the Sovereignty Council in Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said: “We are ready to receive everyone, die Want peace for Sudan … and are determined to achieve peace in Sudan with all parties … and are committed “to dialogue to achieve peace in Sudan.”
Al-Burhan stressed that “all Sudanese in Regarding rights and duties are equal “because” we must work together to complete each other, and we in are able to resolve our internal differences together “.
He challenged the head of the Sudan Liberation Movement in Darfur “to join the peace, adding,” We are working in the interim government together to achieve what is best for Sudan, and we are calling die Unity of revolutionary forces for the benefit of peace in Sudan. “
These negotiations aim to create peace between Khartoum and the “Northern SPLM”, die against government troops since June 2011 in fights the states of South Kordofan (south) and Blue Nile (southeast).
On March 28, Al-Burhan and Al-Hilu signed a “declaration of principle” in preparation for the start of peace negotiations between the two sides.
On October 3rd, Khartoum signed a peace agreement with other armed movements within the “Revolutionary Front” coalition.
