Sudan rebel group seeks delay in peace dialogue

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

One of Sudan’s rebel groups called for a delay in peace talks late Monday.

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) cited internal disagreement as one of the reasons for delaying the African Union-backed talks.

SPLM-N Chairman Malik Agar met Thabo Mbeki, who heads the African Union mediation panel, on Monday night.

“Malik Agar said resumption of peace talks with the government and other rebel groups in Sudan should be delayed until July,” Mubarak Ardol, a representative of the SPLM-N, told Anadolu Agency.

Earlier this month, Sudanese Deputy President Ibrahim Mahmoud said the government was prepared to begin fresh talks.

The SPLM-N is one of rebel groups fighting the Khartoum government in a series of long-running conflicts largely focused on greater political rights and autonomy in non-Arab parts of the country.

It is fighting in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states while other groups face the government in Darfur. Peace talks broke down last August in the absence of any significant breakthrough.

The SPLM-N also called for humanitarian access to South Kordofan and Blue Nile.