Military

14 October 2004 – The financing of rebel forces is the only remaining issue that needs to be resolved at the peace talks being held to try to end the long-running civil war in southern Sudan, a United Nations spokesperson said today.

The talks, which are taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, between representatives of the Sudanese Government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) are continuing, UN spokesperson Denise Cook told reporters.

Sudanese First Vice-President Ali Othman Taha and SPLM/A Chairman John Garang are participating in the talks on a permanent ceasefire, which would bring an end to the war that has cost 2 million lives since it began in 1983.

Ms. Cook said the question of financing the SPLM/A forces was the only pending issue between Khartoum and the rebels, whose negotiations are being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a grouping of countries of the region.

The UN's Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs in Sudan, Taye Zerihoun, also urged the two sides to expedite their negotiations so they can strike a comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has begun a programme with two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote the rule of law in the strife-torn Darfur region of western Sudan.

During the past week the project - which aims to encourage greater dialogue on the rights of women and to use traditional methods of conflict-resolution - has encompassed almost 300 police officers, private and government lawyers, local sheiks and civil society members.