EU envoy visits Juba to assess Sudan’s peace implementation
By James Gatdet Dak
September 24, 2008 (JUBA) – A high level delegation of the European Union, led by the European Union (EU) Special Representative for Sudan visited Juba on Wednesday to acquaint itself with the progress achieved and difficulties still faced in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Upon his arrival to Jubal airport the Ambassador Torben Brylle, mentioned that he will be meeting with the President of southern Sudan government, his deputy and other minister to assess the implementation of socio-economic plans, Darfur crisis, elections, census and the current situation in the disputed Abyei area.
The visiting delegation was briefed by the Government of Southern Sudan’s Vice President, Riek Machar, who also co-chairs the Joint Political Executive Committee on the CPA implementation between the two peace partners.
Machar told the EU envoy that the two parties have resolved many challenges in the implementation of the peace deal, but acknowledged that more work needed to be done on other outstanding issues that have to do with security, economy, elections, boundaries, Darfur peace process and national reconciliation and healing, etc.
Machar who also left for Khartoum on Wednesday leading a high level SPLM delegation to the national capital, said the joint committee of the two parties would soon thrush out some of the remaining issues.
He revealed that issues to be resolved in the next Khartoum meeting would include repeal of security and media laws that are not compatible with the CPA and policies on Central Bank of Sudan, Civil Aviation, River Transport, Social Security Fund, Pension Fund and the way forward in the Darfur peace process, among others.
On the issue of Central Bank, the SPLM Deputy Chairperson said an operational conventional window for the South in the Bank is needed as stipulated in the peace deal.
“Instruments used for measuring Islamic economy are different from instruments for measuring conventional economy,” Machar explained, referring to monetary policies and interest rates.
On the forthcoming national elections he said the nominated head of the Electoral Commission would be confirmed in mid October by the – now on recess – National Assembly in Khartoum and appointed by the President of the Republic so that the Commission would kick off its “complex” work from there.
He feared that this might delay elections, pointing out that the Commission would have to organize and establish its branches throughout the country, besides need for voter education particularly in the South where elections would be more complex with twelve votes required per a voter.
He, however, said the issue needed consultations with various political parties in the country and mainly between the SPLM and NCP to agree on the date on which to conduct the elections.
Machar reiterated GoSS’ commitment to rebuild the war-ravaged Southern Sudan, which he said its people have very high expectations to meet, urging for EU’s continued support in the implementation of the peace deal.
Ambassador Torben Brylle will be here in Juba for five days as he will depart on Sunday 28th September 2008.
(ST)