The Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu reiterated its commitment to peace despite the continuing stalemate in peace talks with the government.

 The rebel faction favours Sudan returning to secularism as opposed to the existing Islamic sharia state. Under the 30-year rule of Omar al-Bashir, Sudan claimed to have laws which took the Islamic law, as their main source of governance.

Jack Mahmud Jack, spokesman of the SPLM-N al-Hilu negotiating team, said in a statement on Sunday that they are committed to the peace process, despite the stalemate on the issues of secularism and self-determination.

Mahmud blamed the transitional government delegation for returning to the capital Khartoum without informing them through the mediation team.

The opposition official said the SPLM-N faction led by Gen. Abdelaziz al-Hilu is not concerned by the roadmap deal on South Kordofan and Blue Nile states signed by the transitional government and the SPLM-N faction led by Gen. Malik Agar.

"What came in Al-Taishi’s statement expresses the vision and point of view of the government delegation, as well as of the signatories to the agreement," Mahmud said.

"The SPLM-N affirms that it is not concerned with the framework agreement signed between the Transitional Government and Aqar/Arman group, even if it is supported by the other tracks," he stressed.

Speaking to journalists upon his arrival in Khartoum, Mohammed Hassan al-Taishi, a member of the Sovereign Council said that the framework deal signed with the SPLM-N group led by Malik Agar has laid the political and security foundation for all negotiating tracks in Juba.

Northern track deal

 Sudan's transitional government on Sunday signed a final peace deal with the "Northern Track" in Juba.

The two opposition groups from northern Sudan- Kush Movement and Northern Entity - are parts of the opposition coalition Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF).

The deal addresses issues of lands and challenges facing citizens affected by the construction of dams.