Sudan peace talks: Agreement on eastern track finalised

On Friday, the delegations of the transitional government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front's eastern Sudan team signed a final peace agreement within the framework of the current peace talks in Juba.

The agreement includes the political participation of the eastern Sudanese people, confers the regions of eastern Sudan more powers within the framework of the federal government system, and stipulates the establishment of a reconstruction fund with local funding. An eastern Sudanese private bank will be funded by international donors, that will support the development of political structures, education, health, and capacity building.

During the signing ceremony, Mohamed El Taayshi, member of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and the spokesperson for the government peace talks delegation explained in a press conference after the signing of the accord that the agreement will be subject to further discussion regarding its implementation mechanisms in eastern Sudan.

“Each part of the agreement can be deemed as a gain for all the eastern Sudanese people and not for a particular political group. this agreement is a serious and sincere attempt to address the root causes of the east Sudan problems,” El Taayshi said. “We are expecting that the final peace agreement on all tracks will be signed three weeks before the deadline,” he concluded.

The head of the eastern Sudan track team, Osama Saeed, affirmed that the agreement belongs to all the eastern Sudanese people. “We have tried to include all issues that concern eastern Sudan. We will cooperate with the transitional government to eliminate political marginalisation, strive to achieve equality, and provide services for all people.”

Head of the SRF rebel coalition El Hadi Idris congratulated the eastern Sudanese with the signing of the final agreement. “It is a serious step towards achieving a just and comprehensive peace in all Sudan and opens the door wide to complete the peace process in the tracks of Darfur and the Two Areas (Blue Nile and South Kordofan),” he said.

Idris hopes that the SRF will reach a final peace agreement within three weeks. “In the coming weeks we will address all outstanding issues, including the appointment of civilian state governors and the formation of the legislative council,” he said.

The head of the mediation team, Tut Galuak, thanked the Sudanese government delegation, especially Sovereing Council chairman Abdelfattah El Burhan, Sovereign Council member and Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemeti' and civilian Sovereign Council member Mohamed El Taayshi for the role they played in achieving peace in South Sudan. “Hemeti has played a fundamental role in the peace negotiation in South Sudan, he is a man of peace,” Galuak said.

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