The widow of John Garang, the former leader of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), says the government of Sudan is reneging on key aspects of the peace accord signed two years ago.
Rebecca Garang made her remarks at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. She told an audience of diplomats and organizations working in Sudan that she expects the United Nations and the US government to pressure Khartoum to meet its obligations.
“The government of Sudan has not complied with the [comprehensive peace agreement]. [It is] doing [its] best to delay, to manipulate its implementation. It hurts me to say it, but it’s what we are seeing. [The government is] bilaterally reneging on the redeployment of troops and the sharing of our nation's oil wealth among others. [It is] massing troops in the oil areas..... We don’t even know [how much] oil is produced in Sudan....[How much]are we dividing [among Sudan's regions] ? The [amount] which is [being] given to the people of southern Sudan is $350 million, when we were expecting $1.5 billion.”
Rebecca Garang also said the SPLM will send more experienced negotiators to represent her organisation and advise the rebel groups at the peace talks on Darfur in Abuja, Nigeria.
Asked if she would become a presidential contestant in national elections scheduled for 2007 Rebecca Garang said: “ No. That is not my ambition. My ambition is to speak out for my people. I want my people to be comfortable.… I want my people to be connected, and when I achieve that, I have my grandchildren to take care of.”