President Moi yesterday endorsed a historic peace agreement signed between the Sudanese Government and the rebel south.

The accord aims at ending a civil war which has claimed more than two million people.

After five weeks of deliberations, the Khartoum government acceded to a demand by the South for autonomy in a peace initiative chaired by President Moi's special envoy, Lt Gen Lazarus Sumbeiywo, at the Garden Hotel in Machakos.

But people in the south will have to wait for six years before their dream for secession materialises. They will have to decide on their self determination in a referendum to be held after that period.

President Moi met the two groups at State House Nairobi where he endorsed the agreement.

The Head of State noted that another peace meeting was slated for the next 21 days, and expressed hope that the terms of the agreement would be implemented before he retires.

Addressing the two delegations, the President said: "I hope the people of Sudan will get the peace they have yearned for. As you know I am about to retire, I hope this delegation will ensure that they give their people the peace as a gift to me on my retirement."

The President has been the chairman of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development sub-committee on Sudan, which has been spear-heading the peace talks for the past decade.

Yesterday, he thanked the groups for signing a protocol to confirm they were committed to peace in the Sudan saying: "I urge you to re-dedicate your efforts and work closely with your constituencies in assuring them that peace has its dividends and that the Sudanese people can co-exist."

Sudanese President Omar El Bashir's special adviser to the talks, Dr Gazi Salahuddin Atabani, and the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement/Army Commander, Mr Salva Kiir Mayardit, emerged out of the meeting exuding confidence on the prospects of peace in their country.

Also collectively agreed upon was the contentious issue of religion where it was agreed that Sudanese people be accorded the freedom of worship.

The South have constantly rejected the introduction of Islamic rule by the predominantly Northerners in the government.

But the more than a month long meeting did not discuss the question of ceasefire.

Briefing the press soon after emerging out of the closed door meeting venue, a beaming Lt. Gen. Sumbeiyo said the question will feature in the next round of talks to be held in Kenya next month.

Special envoys from the United States, Britain, Italy and Norway observed the proceedings throughout the five week period.

The Ambassador of Ethiopia, Mr Murad Mussa also took part in the talks so were those from Eritrea and the Inter Governmental Authority Development (IGAD) Secretariat.

A female member of the SPLM/A broke down in tears as the announcement on the deal was reached.

"I cannot believe this, or my God, how sweet is the news, after all these years of civil strive. Now we will have something good to tell our people who have suffered beyond repair," she wept.

Mr Mayardit said the six year period given for the South to decide on their destiny was appropriate, given the circumstances on the ground.

"As far as the talks were concerned, we got something in the bargain. As for the period, the South has been destroyed and we need time to rebuild ourselves."

He said about four million people have been displaced both internally and externally and time will be needed for them to come back.

The SPLM/A negotiators included among others, its representative in Washington, Mr Stephen Wondu and the Movement's Commissioner for Information and Culture who is also its official spokesman, Dr Samson Kwaje and the Director of Peace, Mr James Kok.

On the government's side was its Missions First Secretary, Mr Omar Nimer.

The special envoy, Mr Atabani said the initial stages of the negotiations were difficult.

"I would say it was not easy but we manage to sail through. We hope this will mark the first step towards peace in the Sudan as that is exactly what President Bashir and Col. Garang (John), the SPLM/A leader have all stated they wanted.