Sudan reveals ongoing contacts with al-Hilu

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Sudan reveals ongoing contacts with al-Hilu

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Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu (2ed L) with some of his aides after his arrival in
Koda in South Kordofan on 30 June 2017 (ST Photo)

August 26, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan’s negotiating team Saturday
disclosed that informal contacts are underway with the Sudan People’s
Liberation Movement/North led by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu (SPLMN/al-Hilu).

The SPLM-N is now divided into two factions: one in the Nuba Mountains
led by al-Hilu and the other in the White Nile State led by Malik
Agar. The rift emerged several months ago over the right of
self-determination and other issues.

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) Saturday quoted the
spokesperson of the government negotiating team Hussein Hamdi as
saying contacts with al-Hilu would pave the road to resume talks after
the Eid al-Adha vacation.

He pointed that al-Hilu has shown good faith by declaring a six-month
unilateral ceasefire, describing the upcoming meeting of the African
mediation with al-Hilu as “new shift” after the recent rift within the
SPLM-N.

By the end of July, al-Hilu declared a unilateral six months cessation
of hostilities starting from 31 July 2017 up to 31 Jan 2018.

For his part, Bushara Guma’a Aror, member of the government
negotiating team, said the new reality indicates that the peace talks
would be held with the “new leadership” (i.e. al-Hilu).

He pointed out that the “old leadership” (i.e. Agar) of the SPLM-N was
not keen to end the suffering of the people in the Two Areas.

The head of the African Union office in Khartoum Mahmoud Kan said on
Wednesday that an expert-level meeting with the SPLM-N al-Hilu will be
held in Addis Ababa on 28 August.

The rebel delegation is expected to brief the AU mediation team about
the shift in the group and to present its position on the peace
process.

Last April, the Nuba Mountains Liberation Council (NMLC), which led
the rift in the SPLM-N, said the group decided to freeze negotiations
for peace in Sudan until the settlement of internal divisions.

The other SPLM-N faction led by Agar says ready for talks only on a
humanitarian assistance agreement to provide civilians in the rebel
held areas with the needed food and medicines.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the Sudan People’s Liberation
Movement/North (SPLM-N) rebels in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan,
also known as the Two Areas since 2011.

(ST)