Implementation of peace deal progresses satisfactorily – Sudan’s FM
Mar 19, 2006 (NAIROBI) — Foreign Minister Lam Akol has said the peace agreement is being implemented satisfactorily and that it is a great achievement for the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The minister briefed the 5th IGAD ministerial meeting in Nairobi on the progress realized by the peace agreement, indicating that the agreement resulted in remarkable political, security, economic and constitutional developments such as the government of national unity, the government of the south and the establishment of commissions in accordance with the agreement.
“Ratification of the interim constitution, the National Assembly, states legislative councils and redeployment of government and SPLM forces are also important developments.” Akol said, adding that, although some commissions were not established yet the implementation of the agreement is going on despite difficulties.
He urged donors to fulfil their commitments in support of the peace agreement.
IGAD’s ministerial [committee] prepared the agenda for IGAD’s heads of state summit due on Monday 20 March at the same venue Nairobi.
It is noteworthy that the inaugural session was addressed by Kenyan foreign minister, Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs, IGAD’s executive director, representative of the AU, representatives of IGAD partners forum and representative of the UN secretary-general.
Akol told journalists that the government was keen to spread peace in the south and Darfur and that solutions for internal problems could not be imported.
“Sudan is resolved to settle the Darfur question by the coming September and the AU is expecting to arrive at a peace agreement within a couple of weeks,” Akol stated.
Akol stressed that the solutions for any Sudanese questions would not be imported. Regarding the presence of UN’s troops in the South Sudan, the Foreign Minister said that it was a result of the CPA implementation, saying the situation differs when it comes to Darfur.
He said the Sudanese government did not hear the African Union Mission in Sudan saying they were unable to perform their mission there.
The IGAD member countries are Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.
(ST/Khartoum Monitor)