GCC welcome signing of Sudanese transitional constitution

RIYADH, July 10, 2005 (KUNA) — Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States lauded, here on Sunday, Sudan’s President Omar Bashir for signing the transitional constitution in accordance with a comprehensive peace agreement with the rebels of south.

Sudanese people gather on the roof of a building as they welcome former southern Sudanese rebel leader John Garang upon his arrival to Khartoum. At least a million supporters turned out on July 8, 2005. (AFP).

GCC general secretariat said in a statement that assigning leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) John Garang as a first deputy for the Sudanese president was a new era of Sudanese peace and security, praising the Sudanese unity to lead the country and its people toward a flourishing future.

Sudanese President Bashir and rebel leader John Garang were sworn in in Khartoum yesterday to mark the beginning of the transitional government after the peace agreement was sealed between both sides.

According to the transitional constitution, Bashir will be president and Garang his first deputy. Ali Othman Taha is a vice-president.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, who attended the ceremony, described the event as “historic,” calling on all Sudanese people to safeguard the peace agreement.

Annan said the first task awaiting the new Sudanese government was the resolution of the conflicts in Darfur and eastern Sudan.

According to the peace agreement, a new Sudanese government should be formed within a month with 52 percents of its posts and the parliamentary representation designated for Bashir’s party and 28 percent for the SPLM.

The agreement also states that the northern opposition parties shall occupy 14 percent of the new government and their southern counterparts six percent.