No return to war again in Sudan – Bashir
April 7, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir, renewed his commitment to the implementation of signed peace agreements saying that no return to war again in the country.
Bashir began his speech saying he will stick to its commitment to the signed peace agreements and will not allow any political difference to influence and interfere with political stability and economic development of the Sudan.
“With the spirit of national responsibility, which we all assume, we declare with confidence that there is no return to war again, no matter how opinions are different and convictions are varied, logic should prevail, and peaceful negotiation will win” al-Bashir said.
These statements comes while the two partners of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement trade accusation of troops build-up in the disputed Abyei and following the three months of clashes between the SPLA and the Misseriya militia and the arrival of the SPLM appointed representative to the area.
He exhorted Sudanese to not waste their time in political controversies and dedicate their efforts for the economic development.
“We have continued to strive to follow up the implementation of the obligations of the [Comprehensive] Peace Agreement and we urged continuously the international community to meet its obligations for its application, but the weak response did not prevent us from mobilizing our national energies to restore what the war-ravaged and create a supportive environment for the launch comprehensive development in all affected-war areas.” He said.
The CPA parties seem resolved to contain the growing tension generated by the row over Abyei and to settle peacefully the
Despite the peace deal, North-South tensions over the area have never truly subsided. An international group of experts marked Abyei’s borders in 2005 but their report was rejected by the northern National Congress Party (NCP).
Abyei lies just north of the boundary line between north and south Sudan set by Sudan’s British colonial rulers in the early 20th century. But the line is disputed, and the SPLM wants the area incorporated into their autonomous zone, created by the 2005 peace agreement.
Sudan’s north-south civil war killed 2 million people. Under the 2005 peace accord residents of Abyei will chose to join the north or south in 2011, when the entire south will vote on secession from the north
(ST)