A former Sudan rebel group isexpressing concern that the lack of progress over renewal of a 2005 peaceagreement could cause instability.
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)signed between southern and northern Sudan effectivelyended the two-decade war between the warring factions.
But an official of theSudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is accusing its northern partnersof deliberately stalling on key issues of the agreement. The northern Sudanesedismiss the accusation as disappointing.
"Thewhole situation in Sudan is getting into a very dangerous situation. So it isreally very sad to hear one party saying this on the others after thismeeting," said Fouad Hikmat, an analyst with the International Crisis Group.
Hesaid there is need for the two parties to find common ground.
"Wealways need the two together to work out their differences to have that goodwill and whatever they agreed to be implemented in good faith," he said.
Hikmatsaid time is limited to reach a full implementation of the CPA.
"It is about how the twoparties are going to negotiate the implementation of the key provisions leftnow, given that the time is very short for the general elections," Hikmat said.
He said the former rebelscould not form a party that would have a national appeal.
"The mitigating factor isclear that south Sudan, unfortunately the SPLM, [was] not able to convertthemselves into a national political party, and therefore, they are pulledinwardly because of the situation in south Sudan." he said.
Hikmat said a sure way toresolve the impasse between the two parties is to reach a compromise.
"How could we bring thesetwo together? I think the only thing is that that could be done soon through aconsensus where all the political forces each can agree on a common agenda,"Hikmat said.
TheCPA controversy comes a week after Washington hosted leaders of northern andsouthern Sudan to discuss remaining disputes over the peace deal.
Somepolitical observers say they fear Sudan could be dragged into another round ofcivil war if disputes surrounding the peace agreement are not resolved soon.