SPLM suspends peace talks

The SPLM on Monday suspended its participation in the IGAD peace talks in protest at allegedly reckless bombing by the Sudanese government of civilian targets. The SPLM claimed, in a statement issued in Nairobi, that the government had flouted its own moratorium on such bombings when it bombarded SPLM-controlled areas of southern Sudan, the Nuba Mountains and eastern Sudan. The SPLM also said it would extend for another three months its ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ in certain areas of the south. The next round of IGAD talks, which have shown little sign as yet of providing any breakthrough in Sudan’s 17-year civil war, was scheduled to take place in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on 17 May.

Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said on Tuesday that his delegation was committed to the talks on the set date unless and until told of their suspension by the talks mediator, Daniel Mboya of Kenya. The Sudanese army spokesman, General Osman Yassin, on Tuesday dismissed as an “unfounded allegation” SPLM claims of a government aerial bombardment, describing it as “a lie made as an excuse to escape from participation in the forthcoming round of talks,” AFP reported.