Peace talks end inconclusively

Sudanese peace talks ended in Kenya on Sunday with an agreement by both parties to hold another meeting this month. The talks, held under the auspices of the regional IGAD, failed to overcome major differences between the delegations on issues of state and religion, and self-determination for the south.

A statement released by IGAD said there had been extensive consultation and discussion on the relationship between state and religion, but “divergences on the issue could not be reconciled”. The statement said “in-depth deliberations” on self-administration had led to an agreement to “pursue [the matter] further”. There had also been “divergent views” on the problems of Southern Kordofan, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei. Only issues of “wealth sharing” had found common ground “on some principles which apply to the apportionment of wealth at the national, state and concurrent levels”. According to the statement, the talks were conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere in which “both parties reiterated their commitment to the IGAD peace process in Sudan”.