KHARTOUM, Sudan – The ruling party of south Sudan, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), suspended participation in the national government on Thursday and submitted their list of demands on Sunday.  The SPLM has withdrawn from the government alleging it had failed to follow through on implementing the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement which ended Africa’s longest civil war and created a coalition government in Khartoum.

The most contentious issues between the SPLM and the government include the demarcation of the north-south border, withdrawal of northern forces from the south, and the protocol on the oil-rich Abyei region.

The recent withdrawal of south Sudan from the government and increasing violence in the region are causing a wave of international concern.  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the US State Department urged both sides to keep the 2005 peace deal alive between both parties.  Peace talks are scheduled to begin in Libya later this month.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Southerners hand demands to Sudan government – 14 October 2007

VOA News – SPLM Suspends Participation in Sudan’s National Government – 14 October 2007

AllAfrica.com – Sudan: Must State Remain One United Country? – 14 October 2007

Impunity Watch – Ceasefire Ends in Sudan – 11 October 2007