Juba peace talks: Progress on northern Sudan track

The Sudanese peace negotiations continued in the South Sudan capital of Juba on Tuesday, with progress made on the northern Sudan track.

At the session on Tuesday, the Sudan government negotiation delegation headed by member of the Sovereign Council Lt Gen Shamseldin Kabashi received the proposal of the northern Sudan track team concerning the region.

The members of the track team managed to overcome all differences in regard to the issues and unify their negotiating visions about northern Sudan, Dr El Hadi Idris, head of the Sudan Revolutionary Front rebel alliance told reporters in Juba after the session.

Idris also reported the start of the formal negotiations between the government delegation and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North faction under the leadership of Malik Agar, in which Khartoum’s response to the framework agreement document presented by the rebel group will be discussed.

At the end of the talks, the South Sudanese mediators announced the suspension of the negotiations until Friday because of the civil New Year celebrations.

Radio Dabanga reported on Tuesday that the Sudan Revolutionary Front rebel alliance decided to supend the peace negotiations on the Darfur track after bloody clashes broke out between tribesmen in El Geneina, capital of West Darfur, on Sunday evening. More than 70 people were killed or wounded during the fighting that continued as well on Monday.

Emirates

The SPLM-N faction led by Abdelaziz El Hilu in South Kordofan and parts of Blue Nile state reported a two-day visit of its head to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

El Jak Mahmoud, Spokesman for the SPLM-N El Hilu negotiation committee, said in a statement on Tuesday that the visit was made at the invitation of the UAE government.

He said that El Hilu explained the reasons for the stalled talks. The UAE government showed its understanding of the position of the SPLM-N, and confirmed its support for the Juba negotiation platform and “a comprehensive and just peace that preserves the rights and dignity of all Sudanese”.

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