1/25/2005
The parliament of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (southern rebels) on Monday unanimously approved the peace agreement which was signed on January 9th in Nairobi with the Sudanese government.
The decision of the national liberation council ( parliament) said that it agreed unanimously to the peace agreement, officially. Leaders of the Sudanese rebel movement on Monday and for the second running day discussed details of the agreement which aims at ending the longest African conflict and then ratification of the agreement which was signed between Ali Othman Taha, the Sudanese Vice President and the leader of the rebel movement John Garang.
The council of the national liberation council which is composed of 224 seats -- which is considered the legislative body of the Sudan Peoeple's Liberation Army -- debated several issues in the agreement concerning security arrangements and the dividing of resources between the south and the north as well as the establishment of a joint national government.
In line with the ratification of the two parliaments of the Sudanese government and the southern rebels on the agreement, it becomes obligatory for all sides and thereby paves the way for the work on a draft of a new constitution and the formation of a new government in which the rebels get 30% of the seats. Within 6 years, the southern estates would have the opportunity to vote for gaining self rule.
Worthy mentioning that the war which lasted for more than 21 years claimed the lives of more 2 million persons because of the famine and diseases resulting from the war in addition to displacing other 2 million Sudanese.