Jimmy Carter VOA Photo - G. Flakus

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has said he will try to negotiate a cease-fire in Sudan so he and health workers can try to eradicate guinea worm disease in the south of the African country.

The office of the former president said Friday he will hold talks with government and rebel leaders next month during his trip to Sudan, which is in the throes of a 19-year civil war.

A spokesman said that shy of permanent peace, Mr. Carter at least hopes for a ceasefire long enough to allow the guinea worm campaign to proceed. Mr. Carter and his team hope to visit several villages in Southern Sudan, where fighting between government and rebel groups has been most intense.

The former president told VOA he will try to encourage people to drink only filtered water. Guinea worm disease results from drinking water infected with the parasite's intermediate hosts, called cyclops, and causes worm growth inside the human body.

Mr. Carter said the disease has been almost completely eradicated worldwide, but persists in certain areas, including Southern Sudan.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters.

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