SPLM/A denies leadership rift

The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) has denied reports that the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative has led to a leadership rift in the rebel movement, the Sudanese ‘Al-Ra’y al-Amm’ daily newspaper reported on Wednesday. It quoted SPLM/A spokesman Yasir Arman as rejecting claims that John Garang’s leadership had been challenged by senior SPLM/A members Malik Agar, Pagan Amum and Nhial Deng after he accepted the provisions of the Egyptian-Libyan memorandum. Arman accused the Khartoum government of “spreading misinformation” on the position of the SPLM/A on the peace initiative, and said the rebel movement had “a clear vision regarding peace.” [for the principles of the Egyptian-Libyan initiative, go to: http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/cea/countrystories/sudan/20010711b.phtml] A memorandum on the Egyptian-Libyan proposal has been accepted by both the Sudanese government and the National Democratic Alliance, an umbrella group of southern and northern opposition groups. However, some southern leaders are demanding that it be amended to include self-determination for the south and the separation of religion and state, both provided for under a parallel peace initiative on the Sudan under the auspices of the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development.