SLM-Minawi fails to agree with NCP on joining government

The Sudan Liberation Army headed by Minni Arkua Minawi (SLM-MM) failed  to reach an agreement with the National Congress on its participation in the central government and the three state governments of Darfur in accordance with the Abuja peace agreement, according to an SLM official. The movement demanded that National Congress make clear its position on the peace agreement, which had guaranteed some power to SLM-MM under the pre-election national unity government.  Zal Nun Suleiman, spokesman of the movement, objected to remarks made by ruling party official Ibrahim Ghandour, the political secretary of the National Congress. Ghandour had said that SLM-MM would participate in the government in accordance with bilateral understandings rather than the Abuja Agreement. In an interview with Radio Dabanga, Zal Nun described these statements as non-objective. However, other newspapers have reported that Minawi’s participation is by now certain, and this will be announced shortly. Prior to the April 2010 eleciton, Minawi had held the position Senior Advisor to the President of the Republic.