Sudan Peace Talks Opens in Kenyan Capital

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 18, 2002

Sudan Peace Talks Opens in Kenyan Capital

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Talks aimed at finding a lasting solution to the 19-year conflict between the Sudan government and rebels opened in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Monday with both parties expressing commitment to a ceasefire agreement.

The talks is held under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional body which groups Kenya, Uganda, the Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.

In his opening remarks, Lazarus Sumbeiywo, Kenyan special envoyto the IGAD sub-committee on the Sudan, called on both the government of the Sudan and the main rebel, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLA/M), to make peace the war-torn African country.

He said while people appreciates the massive humanitarian assistance to the needy population by the international community,the IGAD Secretariat is fully convinced that those populations have the capacity to feed and develop themselves if peace was given a chance in the country.

"There is no doubt that choosing peace is a risky endeavor but the Sudanese themselves must be courageous enough to bridge the divide that separates them. They must be ready to walk across thatbridge of peace together," said Sumbeiywo.

Ghazi Salah, presidential adviser and leader of the 17-man Sudanese delegation, said in his opening address that Khartoum hada vision of a unity of the Sudan based on justice, equality of different regions and the sharing of power and resources.

He said his government would offer a comprehensive ceasefire tothe SPLA/M during the talks.

The Sudan is committed to bring this national tragedy to a final and permanent end and to begin at last a new era of peace and prosperity that "we have all dreamed of for so long," he added.

Salva Kiir, who is leading the rebels' delegation, also assuredthe international community of their willingness for lasting peaceful solutions.

Kiir expressed optimism that a ceasefire agreement will be reached during the peace talks in Kenya which will last for five weeks.

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