Sudan’s Salva kiir demands strict implementation of peace deal

May 27, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The Chairman of the Sudan People’s liberation Movement (SPLM) and the First Vice President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, pointed out the pending issues in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). He further NCP-SPLM said partnership can only be based on the strict implementation of the CPA.

In his speech before the first joint meeting between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM Saturday in Khartoum, Salva Kiir enumerated the most important of ?burning issues’.

He underlined the delay in the adoption of Abyei Border; the slow and unmonitored withdrawal of forces, the delay in the North-South 1956 boundary demarcation; questions related to the accuracy of the oil revenue accounts; presence of Ugandan rebels in Equatoria and Sudanese militias in other parts of the South and southern Kordofan; laws that are still in contravention of the constitution; delay in the process of restructuring the national civil service.

Salva Kiir also mentioned that some federal ministers and officials are interfering by establishing direct contacts with the Southern Sudan state government, while according to the CPA they have to contact Southern states through the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS).

Regarding the action of the Government of National Unity (GONU), the First Vice-President urged the harmonization of the foreign policy. He said frankness and openness needed in this regard, he demanded to apply GONU policy rather projecting partisan positions.

The following is the full text of Salva Kiir speech:-

– Field Marshal Omar Hassan Ahmed El Bashir President of the National Congress party,
– Honorable leaders of all the Sudanese political parties,
– Honorable guests, members of the Diplomatic Corp and fellow delegates.

Seventeen months ago, we signed the CPA and turned our country to peace, away from war and destruction, Let us congratulate ourselves for that achievement, but let me especially recognize the courage and determination of president Al-Bashir, Vice President Ali Osman Taha and the entire leadership of the National Congress Party in negotiating and signing the CPA with the SPLM. Likewise the SPLM/A under the historical leadership of out late leader Dr. John Garang De Maboir took a courageous move to enter into partnership with the National Congress to make peace and realize democracy.

I am pleaded that the NCP and SPLM leadership have established this forum for a genuine dialogue to develop and transform our relations in the process of the implementation of the agreement into a strong and meaningful partnership that will usher our country into comprehensive permanent peace and stable democratic governance.

Mr. President, all the leaders that came and went did so because of the war in the south. The NCP broke this record by negotiating the CPA with the SPLM. The credit is yours Mr. President.

I take this opportunity Mr. President to pay special tribute to the late Chairman of the SPLM Dr. John Garang de Mabior. We owe him the peace that the Sudanese people are experiencing today. Dr. Garang was passionate nationalist. I am sure you share these sentiments with all the people of Sudan. In this connection, I would like us to consider the construction of a memorial monument for Dr John Garang and all the compatriots who gave their lives for the country.

In the process of the negotiations both parties had to make painful concession and take tough decisions, And now in the process of implementation, courage and honesty is much more required to make true our commitments. The spirit of partnership diminishes and hostilities erupt when agreements are dishonored. That is what our history teaches us. I have the duty to inform you and our people about the progress we have made so far. I am pleased to report that the CPA enjoys wide popular support in the Sudan especially in the South, Southern Kordufan and Blue Nile. Citizens from all walks of life are striving to make a positive contribution to the process of peace building.

There have been significant developments you initiated in the area of education despite the war. When the war broke out in 1983 we had one University in the South. The NCP established two more Universities, one each in Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile. Recently, you decided to establish another University in Rumbek. Mr. President, we have noted with appreciation your decision to build two semi-international airports, one each in Malakal and Palock. This is yet another credit for you.

Mr. President, we ought to congratulate the SPLA and the SAF for sustaining the ceasefire. The ceasefire agreement has been meticulously observed without any significant violations. Since the establishment of the government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan in September and October respectively last year we have moved forward with the creation of the institutions of democratic governance, the cabinets are now fully formed and the civil service is being restructured and staffed. The Legislative Assemblies have been seated. The interim constitutions of Sudan and of Southern Sudan are passed. The state governments and legislative Assemblies are up and running, most of them adopted their constitutions with exception of few states like Khartoum and Southern Kordufan where the two parties have disagreements arising out of different interpretations of the CPA.

Mr. President and dear leaders of the Sudanese parties I am pleased to say that the process of implementation of the agreement has gone on well and much has been achieved. Yet there are number of issues that I also wish to submit for thorough, frank and honest discussions by the two parties here. Unless we make progress on these matters, I cannot see how the rest of the CPA can survive. The most burning issues include but are not limited to the following:

– a) The delay in the adoption of Abyei Border Commission Report and the establishment of an administration in accordance with the CPA.
– b) The slow and unmonitored withdrawal of forces and the delay in the formation of the JIUs – c) The delay in the North-South 1956 boundary demarcation. We cannot implement satisfactorily the provisions on wealthy sharing and security arrangements until the border is determined and demarcated.
– d) There are still questions pertaining to the accuracy of the oil revenue accounts. We need to implement the CPA provisions on SPLM and GOSS access to the existing contracts, participation in the determination of the oil produced in each and every well drilled in Southern Sudan, measurement processes of oil in transportation and export system, sale and auction of the Sudanese oil and the calculation of the net government oil revenues and the amounts for the relevant levels of government. This is the only way to alley fears and build confidence in the system.
– e) Our hard won peace is being undermined by foreign elements in Equatoria and Sudanese armed groups in other parts of the South and southern Kordofan, the matter is all the more serious because SAF and other government security organs are suspected by public in Southern Sudan and southern Kordofan of providing support to the LRA bandits and other armed groups.
– f) Some Ministers and officials in GONU are interfering and establishing direct contacts with the Southern Sudan state government. The CPA is clear and categorical on inter-governmental linkages; that the GONU can only access the state government in the South through the GOSS
– g) There are statutes and laws that must be repealed or amended to comply with the INC of 2005 and the CPA. We cannot continue to be governed by laws that are in contravention of our own constitution.
– h) Delay in the process of restructuring the national civil service to make it more representative and professional.

Mr. President, the cooperation between the SPLM and NCP bore fruits in the resolution of Darfur conflict. We have a duty to continue working together to implement the Darfur agreement. This will encourage those who did not sign the agreement to do so. There is still a problem in the East. I am encouraged by the decision of our government and the Eastern front to enter into negotiations. The SPLM will offer every assistance in that peace process as well.

Mr. President, we should also examine the way we run our foreign policy. To harmonize our positions on matters concerning our sovereignty, we must consult in openness, discuss issues of our foreign policy in frankness as partners and above all we must act as the government of national unity rather projecting NCP or SPLM positions.

Finally Mr. President, we in the SLM are desirous to have a strong partnership with you and the National Congress party, but such partnership can only be based on a strict implementation of the CPA. A partnership that will transform Sudan into a stable democratic multi-cultural society in which unity of its people is voluntary and made attractive by implementing just policies and programs during this interim period. The future of our country is in our own hands and depends on what we do today.

Mr. President, the two parties to the CPA and civil society should come up with programmes to decimate the CPA to our people in all parts of the country, the CPA is for them it is about them and it is they who can sustain it. This is one way through which we can make unity attractive. This historical responsibility rests on the shoulders of the NCP and the SPLM. We are responsible to our Sudanese people and to history to deliver peace and democracy without fail.

Thank you very much.

(ST)