The next round of talks between the NCP and the SPLM on sensitive issues relating to the upcoming referendum in Abyei were postponed.
Thabo Mbeki, former South African president and head of the African Union panel on Sudan, told reporters following a meeting with President Omar al-Bashir that the next round of negotiations between the two peace partners slated for Wednesday in the Ethiopian capital was postponed, and a new date was not defined, Xinhua news agency reported.However, Mr. Mbeki ruled out a negative impact of the postponement on the preparations for the Southern Sudan referendum scheduled for January 9, 2011.
He added that the parties needed more time to agree over the agenda for the new round of Addis Ababa talks.