Sudan: 'Initial Peace' Agreement Signed Between Warring Parties

The transitional government in Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by Malik Agar, signed with initial letters, on a deal on the security arrangements, in preparation of signing a final comprehensive peace deal within 10 days.

Sudanese sources told Al-Ain news that both sides have agreed on a reform measure of security and military establishment, and upon which, there will be one functioning army, with no political affiliation, and reflects the persity of the Sudanese society.

In addition, both sides have reached "complete agreement" on security arrangements in the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains.

With regard to the merger process, it was also agreed that it would take place within 6-12 months, that is, before the end of the transitional period.

Earlier today, a delegation of the transitional government, headed by the Vice President of the Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, "Hamidati", arrived to the capital of South Sudan, along with members of the Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi, and Muhammad Hassan Al-Taishi, and the head of the Peace Commission, Suleiman Al-Dobilo.

Tut Gatluak, South Sudan's presidential adviser on security affairs and head of the mediation team said that the transitional government delegation has arrived in Juba to resolve the remaining pending issues, and to initialize the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the armed movements, which will take place on the twenty-eighth of this August.

He pointed out that many issues and protocols were agreed upon between the transitional government delegation and the armed opposition movements, except for security arrangements, the Darfur track, and the mediation set a timetable not exceeding 3 days for completing the rest of the files in all tracks in preparation for the initial signature of the agreement, then signing the final version.