Government reaffirms support for peace mediation

The Sudanese government on Monday reaffirmed its support for the Kenyan-led Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediation process, stating that it was "capable of achieving peace" in Sudan. During talks in Kenya with President Mwai Kibaki, Sudanese special envoy, Dr Ghazi Salahuddin, also reiterated his confidence in Kenya's ability to continue brokering the talks, according to a statement issued by the Kenyan government. Meanwhile, uncertainty prevails regarding the date for the resumption of talks, scheduled to restart on Wednesday. According to media reports over the weekend, Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail said the talks might be postponed to allow the parties more time to prepare. Spokesman for the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLA/M) Samson Kwaje told IRIN his movement was ready for negotiations on 23 July, "or on any other date". He said he was waiting for the IGAD mediators to contact the movement to finalise the date. The latest session of talks came to a standstill on 12 July when the government delegation accused the mediators of taking sides with the SPLM/A in a draft framework agreement presented to both sides. The Sudan Council of Churches has called on the parties to return to the negotiating table without preconditions. It also urged the government to reassure its citizens and the international community that it will continue to negotiate in good faith. It called on Arab countries to stop interfering in the peace process. "We take this opportunity to register our concern about the negative interference of some Arab countries such as Egypt in Sudan's affairs," it said in a statement. Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Atif Ubayd, who arrived in Sudan on Saturday for meetings of the Joint Sudanese-Egyptian High Committee, reiterated that Egypt's "prime and only objective was the territorial integrity and unity of Sudan, and the ending of conflict between the people of one country". He also reaffirmed Egypt's support for the IGAD mediating process.