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Sudan Peace Deal Prompts Praise, Protests

Viola Elias

   JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN/KHARTOUM, SUDAN - Saturday'speace deal between
   Sudan's government andvariousrebel groups is drawingboth praise and
   protestsfromthe peoplemost directly impacted by the accord.

   Several Sudanese who attended a signing ceremony in Juba said the
   agreement marks a new beginning for the marginalized people of Sudan's
   South Kordofan, Darfur and Blue Nile states.

   MuteziemAdam, a resident of Blue Nile, said the agreement is especially
   important forinternallydisplacedpersons (IDPs) who have suffered for
   years without access to services like education or health care.

   "Peace will make a good environment for the internally displaced
   persons and refugees in the neighboring countries to return back home
   and they can start local production that can improve our economy,"Adam
   toldVOA'sSouth Sudan in Focus.

   He also thought the agreement would improve Sudan's relations with
   foreign countries and may even convince the U.S. to remove Sudan from
   its list of state sponsors of terror. If the U.S. lifts Sudan from the
   list, Adam believes, "we can start receiving support, especially
   financial support."

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