“Dr. Akol was very optimistic about the outcome of the peace process in his meeting with ASAP. However, he follows Special Sudan Envoy General Lazarus Sumbeiywo and others who expect that negotiations will extend beyond the end of June, the anticipated completion date. While acknowledging that both the SPLM/A and GoS were highly
apprehensive about the process and outcome, Dr. Akol said that circumstances dictate a final peace agreement. He said the parties ‘do not have the freedom to indefinitely delay the outcome’. The Sudanese
people, whether in the north or the south, want an agreement. The mediators, and in particular the US (which plays a critical role in the negotiations) understand this very well and this provides them with
considerable leverage. The Sudanese will ‘cling to the agreement.”
