Sudan: Renewed Khartoum – SPLM-North talks ‘positive’

The government of Sudan and the SPLM-North say their first round of peace talks on Thursday, 13 November, were held in a positive atmosphere. The two delegations spoke to each other for three hours without the presence of the mediators.The head of the government delegation, Ibrahim Ghandour, said after the meeting that they had reviewed the previous rounds of talks that failed to reach an agreement. The new rounds are aiming at a comprehensive ceasefire agreement involving humanitarian aid and national dialogue. The SPLM-North presented a discussion paper as preparation for the evening session of today. “We are clearly aiming at completing the Framework Agreement in the political, humanitarian, and security committees”, Ghandour said.SPLM-North negotiator, Mubarak Ardol, confirmed that a positive atmosphere prevailed from both sides. He explained that the discussion includes a proposal for a comprehensive dialogue to stop the war in South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur. He stressed the importance to implement Resolution 456 of the African Union, which calls for an inclusive approach of all the political forces and civil society organisations.Please find attached below (pdf) the opening addresses of Prof. Ibrahim Ghandour (Sudan’s chief negotiator) and Mr. Yasser Arman (SPLM-North Chief Negotiator), and (audio) of Pres. Thabo Mbeki (AUHIP Chairperson)Photo: Ibrahim Ghandour (AU)Related: Peace talks between Sudan government and SPLM-N resume (12 November 2014)