‘Khartoum and SPLM-N rebels about to conclude peace deal’: Mbeki

The head of the African Union panel that brokers the peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and the rebel SPLM-N, disclosed that the parties are close to concluding an agreement on the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. He further revealed that these peace negotiations will be “synchronised” with negotiations on the Darfur region. The negotiations with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North are adjourned for ‘a few days’ but a new date has not been set for the peace talks. The parallel meeting on the Darfur region, between the Sudanese government and the Darfur rebel movements, will resume on 23 November. Thabo Mbeki, chairman of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), declared in Addis Ababa today (Monday) that there is “only one process, but two tracks”. “We adjourn with really a lot of confidence that we are not too far from concluding an agreement. “We have moved a good way forward towards concluding the negotiations. We have prepared some additional documents and handed them to both parties in order to conclude the agreement. It is important to give a little bit more time to reflect and to consult on these proposals. After a few days we will resume at a date we still have to agree. But we do not want it to take too long.” ‘One process, two tracks’According to the chief negotiator in Ethiopia, the delegates agreed with him that there is one process, but two tracks, that lead to peace in Darfur, and in the Two Areas (South Kordofan and Blue Nile). “We will also start the second track between the government of Sudan and the Darfur rebel movements. Field commanders from Darfur are prepared for their engagements in these negotiations, later this month. We will come back on this on 23 November.”Mbeki said that the two tracks would be synchronised. It does not mean that the peace agreement for Darfur and the Two Areas will be signed on the same day, but the contents of the underlying documents will be shared, to prove that there is a comprehensive peace agreement, the chairman explained. Ahmed Mohammed, the Darfur movement’s chief negotiator, told Radio Tamazuj today that their field commanders have begun a workshop today in Addis Ababa, on the possibilities for a cessation of hostilities agreement. The workshop is scheduled to last for three days. News photo: Thabo Mbeki speaks in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on 17 November 2014. The second person on his right is Ibrahim Ghandour, the head of the government’s delegation. On his left: Yasir Arman, leader of the SPLM-N delegation. Related: Peace talks between Sudan government and SPLM-N resume (12 November 2014) Sudan’s ruling party hails Addis National Dialogue agreement (14 September 2014)