Sudan resumes peace talks with opposition in Juba
Wednesday December 11 2019
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (left) shakes hands with Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Deputy Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council in Juba on December 10, 2019. PHOTO | DENIS ELAMU | XINHUA
Sudan's transitional government resumed peace talks on Tuesday evening in Juba, South Sudan capital, with various armed opposition groups that fought against the regime of former President Omar al-Bashir.
Mohamed Hamdan Daqlu, deputy head of the Sudan Transitional Council, said they aim to reach a comprehensive peace agreement with the opposition groups under the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) led by El Hadi Idris, leader of the Sudan Liberation Army.
"We will focus on the talks seriously in order to reach a comprehensive peace agreement with the opposition. We will work together to allow people displaced and refugees to return to their homes," said Daqlu during the opening of the second round of talks in Juba.
The first round of direct peace talks being mediated by South Sudan President Salva Kiir commenced on October 14. However, later allegations of a military attack on a Sudanese rebel group suspended peace negotiations.
Tut Kew Gatluak, head of South Sudan mediation team, expressed optimism that the parties will finally ink a peace deal ending decades of conflict in the marginalised regions of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan.
"We hope to achieve peace in the shortest time possible. What is important is freedom and security in Sudan," said Gatluak.
El Hadi Idris said they are more than ready to participate in the ongoing talks with the government with open hearts, and hopes that they arrive toward peaceful settlement of their grievances.
"We need to swiftly reach a durable and comprehensive peace. We will cooperate with the government and partners to end the conflicts in Blue Nile, Nuba Mountain and Darfur," he disclosed.
He added that reaching peace with the government will allow unhindered humanitarian access to areas cut off by conflict.
Idris urged the Sudan government to demonstrate political will by enforcing the ceasefire reached earlier on with the opposition.
Both sides in October signed the political roadmap and cessation of hostilities agreement that allows humanitarian access and also outlines the political issues to be discussed at the ongoing talks.