Eritrea’s Afwerki, Salva Kiir hold talks on Sudan peace implementation

By Miyong Kuon

April 24, 2007 (JUBA) — Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki yesterday met First-Vice President and President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba. The talks focused on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the obstacles facing it.

The Eritrean President also addressed the Government of South Sudan council of ministers and discussed the bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of infrastructure and trade. He hailed the progress made so far by Southern Sudan following the peace agreement and expressed his appreciation and thanks to the Government of Southern Sudan and all citizens in Juba for the excellent arrangements made by the hosts during his visit.

For his part, Kiir praised the IGAD member countries for their support to the peace process. President Afewerki left Juba today.
The following is a report by Miyong Kuon on the visit of the Eritrean president to the capital of Southern Sudan.

JUBA, South Sudan — Just after sun rays cracked through the horizon on the morning rush hours on Monday in Juba, the security guards positioned themselves almost on every corner of the roads leading to Juba International Airport. Number of vehicles, motor cycles, and pedestrians going to the Airport are stop and search miles way.

Inside the west terminal, young men and women flamboyantly dressed in traditional outfits chanting and dancing while the sound of drums and whistles competing with the loud noise of landing planes and moving vehicles in the Airport filled the air. Why? Because the President of the state of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki, scheduled to touch down at Juba International Airport at 11am.

Adjacent to a small both colored in Sudan flag provided for the presidents to salute the guard of honor, was a red carpet spread five yards in length leading to the signing guard of Honors who lined up in a synchronize formation waiting to welcome the third head of State and the second head of State to visit South Sudan in the same month.

Group of military band trumpeting the sound of freedom peace and tranquillity while a small group of public allowed at the airport cheered them on. At 11:00AM on the dot, the Aircraft caring the visiting president emerged on the horizon. President Salva Kiir and number of Ministries and other dignitaries inched closer while the plane caring the President of the state of Eritrea role to stop.

As the Eritrean President stepped of the plane, President Kiir removed his black bowler-style hat, hugged and shook President Isaias Afwerki’s hands. To young girls holding white doves that signified peace handed the doves to the visiting President.

After attending the usual military parade, both Presidents hopped on an opened pickup. The truck slowly moved toward Dr. John Garang Memorial while both Presidents waved at people congregated on both sides of the roads.

“Thank you for the warmest welcome in which to my opinion it has been inspiring and exciting. I’m proud to be in Southern Sudan.” President Afwerki told the conference, attended by cabinets and journalist held at the Secretariat.

“I came from a different school. I’m neither a diplomat nor a politician. I came from a place and a time I always felt I have some attachment with people of Southern Sudan. My first time in Khartoum in 1966, as one of the revolutionary fighter, I came to realized that Southern Sudanese were more like a third or fourth class citizens.” President Afwerki went a head to assured Southern Sudan that, it’s just a matter of commitment on our side.

In a close meeting, the two Presidents discussed the implementations of the CPA, demarcation of north-south borders, security issue, wealth sharing, and the development of South Sudan. To fully accomplish the development in Southern Sudan, Southern Sudan need not to rely on National Congress Party, President Afwerki said. It’s crucial for the Government of Southern Sudan to take initiative and responsible role.

However, both the presidents did not elaborate on the conclusion of their discussion on implementations, development and demarcations of the North-South border. The Eritrean President became the first head of state to spend a night in Juba.

(ST)