SPLM for peaceful solution but “shariah” key

Leader of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) John Garang says his movement supports a peaceful solution to the over 40 years’ conflict between Khartoum and southern Sudan. In an interview with the Kenya Television Network (KTN) in Nairobi on Thursday Garang said “Khartoum insists on its vision for the Sudan - an Islamic state, an Arab state”. “On the issue of religion and the state, it is clear that we cannot agree on this issue,” he said. “They are not going to abandon shariah, and we are not going to accept to be governed by shariah,” he said. “So we are saying let us count this as a point of agreement, that we have agreed to disagree,” Garang noted. “We have a specific suggestion that in the interim period we have a confederate arrangement, a confederation, whereby the north will have a separate constitution, the south a separate constitution,” he said. “At the end of the interim period, the people of the southern Sudan and other areas, Nuba mountains and Funj areas of southern Blue Nile will exercise the right of self-determination to choose between whether to continue this form of union, confederate union, or to go for outright independence,” he said. He said his movement is fighting for justice, equality for all in the country and insists that the Declaration of Principles (DOPs) of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) be implemented. Talks between the Sudan government and SPLM are scheduled to resume in Nairobi on 15 January, an official of the SPLM confirmed to IRIN on Friday.