14 walis sworn in before sudanese President

Sept 3, 2005 (Khartoum) — The newly appointed walis (governors) of 14 northern states on Saturday were sworn in before the Presient of the Republic, Field Marshal Omer Al-Bashir.

The President pointed out in a speech after the oath taking ceremony which was also attended by the First Vice President, the Vice President, Chief Justice, and Presidential Legal Advisor, that the coming phase differs from previous stages in the sense that there are a number of new developments and challenges brought in after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the open political work as well as the existence of so many parties with considerable political weights.

The president called on the new Walis (governors) to live up to the security, political, economic and service challenges ahead with the view to meet the aspirations of the citizens in their respective states. He stressed that the National Congress Party which is the spearhead in the political action has to improve its performance in a way that would satisfy the needs of its grassroots and the citizens in the states.

The President congratulated the governors for the confidences placed on them by their local leadership and by the central leadership, saying such a choice reflect the relentless efforts exerted by the governors for serving their people. He stressed that the chosen governors were chosen after thorough and meticulous inspection. Speaking on behalf of the governors, the Gezira State Wali, Abdul Rahaman Sirul Khatim, vowed to fully back the peace efforts and to implement the CPA provisions.

SUNA/ST