SPLM-N leader accepts return to negotiating table with Sudanese gov’t – Gatluak

JUBA – Leader of SPLM-North faction General Abdel Aziz Azam al-Hilu has accepted to return to the negotiating table, according to South Sudan Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs and head of mediating team on the Sudanese peace talks Tutkew Gatluak.

In August, Abdel Aziz Adam al-Hilu walked out of talks in Juba demanding that the government in Khartoum replace General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo as head of the government negotiating because he has participated in the genocide in Darfur.

The Sudanese parties continued for the talks and on Saturday signed a landmark peace deal that ends the decades long conflict in Sudan paving way for the integration of the Sudanese rebels into the army and giving autonomy to the regions of Darfur, Southern Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains.

Speaking to Sudans Post this evening, Tutkew Gatluak said the holdout opposition leader has agreed to return to teh negotiating table and talks with him will resume in the third week of October.

“My brother Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu has accepted to return to the negotiating table. So, talks between him and the government of Sudan will resume during the third week of October and hopefully and agreement will be reached,” Gatluak said.

He further said the people of South Sudan deserves peace and for peace to also be achieved in South Sudan, there must be peace within the society in Northern Sudan saying President Kiir has directed the mediation to expedite the process to bring in those who have not sign  the agreement.

“As a journalist, you must be familiar that the peace in North Sudan is linked to the peace in our country. So, we must achieve peace there and this will affect the situation in the two sisterly countries,” Gatluak said.

“So, that is why the president has directed us to bring into the table of talks those of [SLM/A leader] Abdel Wahid [Nur] with the government in Khartoum,” he further added.