The Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Ilankai Tamil Sangam

The peace talks were mediated by the regional Intergovernmental
Authority on Development (IGAD), led by retired Kenyan General
Lazaro Sumbeiywo. A united diplomatic front to achieve peace was
also led by the United Kingdom, Norway, Kenya, and the United
States, with significant involvement from U.S. Special Envoy
Ambassador John Danforth, during the past two years. The peace
accord was signed in Nairobi by General John Garang on behalf
of the SPLM and Sudanese First Vice President Ali Osman Taha
on behalf of the government of Sudan. Importantly, it provides
for a federal system, with a two chamber central government
and a regional government for Southern Sudan which will have
substantial powers. This structure will stay in effect for six years,
after which South Sudan may choose to become independent
through a referendum. During this interim period, a government
of national unity will administer the country on a national basis.
The agreement provides for an internationally monitored ceasefire
with U.N. peace monitors. Two separate armed forces with a joint
coordinating mechanism will be maintained in the North and
South during the six-year transitional period. The agreement
addresses many contentious issues, such as power-sharing in
the transitional government, and how to administer contested
areas such as the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile, where resource
and land-based conflicts have flared for years.
Another thorny issue addressed in the accord is wealth-sharing,
including oil revenues. Sudan has some of the largest proven oil
reserves in the world. The agreements provide wealth sharing
formulas between the North and South and oil producing
states.
The agreement also provides that Sharia law, which is applied
in the predominantly Muslim North, will not apply in the
predominantly Christian South or in the capital, Khartoum. This
had been a major sticking point during the conflict.
An interim constitution was signed by both the leaders on 9 th of
July 2005 and General John Garang became the vice president of
this interim government. Although General John Garang died in
a helicopter crash a few days later, his former deputy in the SPLA
has replaced him as Vice President and the interim government
continues.
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