Sudan’s main rebel group will send a delegation to the Sudanese capital Friday, an unprecedented trip to buttress talks in neighboring Kenya on ending the country’s 20-year civil war. The Sudanese government welcomed the visit, and Deputy Foreign Minister Motrak Sedeek said Wednesday it represented a “qualitative shift” that could open the way for John Garang’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army to become a genuine part of Sudanese political life. The SPLA began its insurgency in 1983. Until recent progress in peace negotiations being held under Kenyan mediation, any SPLA leader who flew to government-controlled sections of Sudan would have risked being arrested — or worse. Garang told The Associated Press the delegation would be headed by Pagan Amum, a member of the group’s leadership council. “We’ve just started the current round of negotiations in Kenya,” Garang said. “This (visit) is not a part of peace (negotiations). It is our initiative at SPLA.” Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.