AU to facilitate talks on S. Sudan’s SPLM

The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP) has invited the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) northern sector to begin negotiations on April 23 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Khartoum’s Almeghar Al-Siyasi daily reported yesterday.The paper quoted sources at AU as saying the AUHIP, led by Thabo Mbeki, has completed arrangements to receive the two parties for negotiations on the issues of Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas.SPLM/northern sector declared its rebellion against Khartoum in 2011.Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party, last weekend, announced its readiness for dialogue with the rebels of the SPLM northern sector.“We are ready for the dialogue with the SPLM northern sector and waiting the date for the dialogue,” Ibrahim Ghandour, the NCP head of the government delegation to the talks, said at a press conference.Last week, Arno Taloudy, the SPLM northern sector’s spokesman, said they are ready to cease hostilities.Khartoum accuses South Sudan of supporting SPLM northern sector rebels, who are mostly active in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Juba denies any connection with the movement.