Sudan blasts outside peace plan

Chances of peace are better than in many years, mediators believe

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has reaffirmed his objections to a draft peace accord aimed at ending 20 years of civil war.

In a televised address, President Bashir said the proposals put forward at recent negotiations in Kenya would split Sudan.

However a new round of talks is expected to go ahead on Sunday in the Kenyan town of Nakuru.

The talks are sponsored by the East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad).

Last year, the two sides signed a truce, agreeing to a six-year transition period, leading to a referendum on Sudan's political future.

But a deal to finalise the detail of sharing power with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) has yet to be hammered out.

Shaky truce

In the last round of talks with the SPLA in July, the government rejected a draft accord prepared by mediators on such issues such as power-sharing and security during the transition period.

In his address on Saturday, Mr Bashir reaffirmed that he was committed to a just and comprehensive peace but warned that an unfair settlement would lead to more violence.

The conflict between the largely Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south has caused more than 1.5 million deaths and displaced four million people.

The rebels have been resisting attempts by the government to impose Sharia law on the entire country.

The two sides have accused each other of violations since last year's cease-fire.