Peace Talks Resume

Talks to end the longest current civil war in the world resumed February 17 between the government of Sudan and the SPLM in the south. Speaking to AFP, both sides say they are determined to find a permanent resolution. This round of talks, which many hope will result in a final peace agreement, is scheduled to end on March 16. The focus of negotiations is on the status of three disputed areas, Abyei, Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile, as well as political and administrative power sharing. There has already been an agreement signed on sharing oil revenues and a transition of power in southern Sudan leading to the right to self-determination for southern Sudan by 2008 as well as tentative agreements on the Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile.

There are continuing concerns, however, that the government will stall the talks to prevent a final agreement which could erode their control over the oil-rich resources of southern Sudan, as well as the desire of many to create a strictly Islamic nation.

Sudanese students receive school supplies from VOM (Jan.2004)

The twenty-year civil war between the predominantly Muslim north and the Christian and animistic south has killed at least 1.5 million people and displaced as many as four million others. Government forces have regularly attacked civilian targets, including schools, hospitals and churches, along with relief organizations providing aid to the victims of war in southern regions. The Voice of the Martyrs recently completed a major distribution of school supplies for students of two schools in the Upper Nile region of southern Sudan through their Operation Christmas Blessing program.

Pray that both sides will negotiate in good faith and that any hesitations or schemes to prevent peace will be thwarted.

For more background information on the situation in Sudan, go to www.vomcanada.com/sudan.htm.