U.S. urges Sudan gov't, armed groups to resume peace talks

KHARTOUM, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday urged Sudan government and armed groups to resume peace talks regarding South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas, official SUNA news agency reported.

U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Khartoum Steven Koutsis said so during talks with Sudan's Presidential Assistant and head of the government delegation to the talks.

"Koutsis urged the government and the armed groups to embark on constructive negotiations to achieve peace and stability in the country," the report said.

He said it is time for the government and the armed groups to move forward to make use of the available opportunity to achieve peace.

The peace talks between the government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector have ceased since August 2016.

The file of humanitarian assistance has remained one of the reasons behind the stalemate of the peace talks between the government and the SPLM/northern sector which is leading an armed rebellion at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas.

Khartoum opposed transport of humanitarian aid from outside Sudan to South Kordofan and Blue Nile, while the SPLM/northern sector demanded provision of external passages to deliver the assistance to its controlled positions in the two areas. Enditem