Direct negotiation sessions between delegations of government, SPLM-N adjourned

The South Sudanese mediation has decided to adjourn the direct negotiation sessions between the Sudanese transitional government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in order to hold further consultations on the contentious issues between the two parties.

South Sudanese Presidential Adviser Tut Gatluak, the head of the mediation team, said in a press statement that the mediation would conduct contacts between the delegations of the Sudanese Transitional Government and SPLM-N to bring their views closer together in order to create conducive conditions for the next round of negotiations.

He added that the two delegations reached great understandings on the contentious issues, indicating that only four of the nineteen points were left for negotiation, explaining that they are simple and can be resolved.

Gatluak voiced hope that the next round of negotiations would witness the signing of comprehensive peace agreement, which would meet the aspirations of the people of Sudan.

For his part, Member of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and head of the government’s negotiating delegation Gen. Shams-Eddin Kabbashi said that the negotiation sessions between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM-N were characterized by prevalence of positive spirit and real will that enabled the two parties to move forward in discussing the outstanding issues.

He added that the government delegation would return to the next round of peace talks with the same will and desire for peace to complete the remaining issues with the SPLM-N.

The Member of the Transitional Sovereignty Council expressed thanks and appreciation to President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit for his sponsorship of the peace talks in Juba, and for the mediation efforts headed by Presidential Adviser Tut Gatluak, and for the government and people of the Republic of South Sudan.

He also expressed thanks to the regional and international organizations, especially the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) and the brotherly countries that were present at the negotiating table and were playing great roles in bringing the views of the two negotiating delegations closer together.

Meanwhile, SPLM-N Secretary-General Ammar Amon said that the will and determination of the two negotiating parties towards peace enabled the two sides to reach great understandings on contentious issues, indicating that the two parties agreed on the draft framework agreement by 75 to 80 percent, pointing out that the remaining issues need further consultations.

He expressed his thanks to the government delegation for the will and determination it showed towards the issues of peace and the South Sudanese mediation team for its strenuous efforts for realization of peace in Sudan.

He voiced hopes that Juba Forum would end the specter of recurring civil wars in Sudan, affirming commitment of SPLM-N to the Juba Platform and its strong belief that it would lead to achieving comprehensive and sustainable peace in the country. He also expressed thanks to the President of the Republic of South Sudan, the mediation team, the Troika countries, the European Union, the African Union and Chad.

It is noteworthy that the delegations of the Sudanese transitional government and the SPLM-N signed a final statement on this round of peace talks.