Egypt satisfied with steps to form new Sudanese govt – official
Sept 17, 2005 (ALEXANDRIA) — Egyptian Prsident Mubarak is very keen on the implementation of the peace accord in Sudan, Egyptian presidential spokesman Ambassador Suleiman Awad said on Saturday 17 September, noting that Mubarak was satisfied with the current steps taken to form a transitional government in Sudan.
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir congratulated Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on winning the presidential election, Awad said.
He said Al-Bashir briefed Mubarak on the situation in Sudan, especially with regard to implementing the peace agreement with the south. Mubarak recently received Sudan’s First Vice-President and President of South Sudan Salva Kiir.
The Egyptian president was keen on listening from the Sudanese president on developments in Sudan’s western Darfur region, the Egyptian presidential spokesman said.
According to the official Egyptian MENA, Mubarak issued directives to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry regarding the representation of Egypt in the Abuja talks that began two days ago, 15 September, with Ambassador Ahmad Hagag as Mubarak’s special envoy. Egyptian experts took part in the three Abuja workshops on the division of power and wealth as well as on security arrangements, Awad said.
Mubarak was also interested in reviewing the situation in eastern Sudan.
The Egyptian president hosted a luncheon in honour of Al-Bashir and his accompanying delegation, said Awad, noting that both parties dwelt on ways to promote bilateral cooperation in various domains, in particular with regard to the four freedoms agreement signed by both countries. The freedoms of movement of commodities, services, individuals and capital are guaranteed under the accord.
Cairo and Khartoum are keen on activating the outcome of the third joint higher committee meetings and of the visit to Egypt last year by the Sudanese president, the Egyptian presidential spokesman said.
Both sides are also eager to complete paving the road linking Egypt’s Suez city with Port Sudan and another one between Sudan’s Wadi Halfa and Upper Egypt’s Dunqul area, Awad added.
The ministers who took part in today’s talks exchanged views on the progress achieved regarding what had been agreed upon in December, said Awad.
The meeting was attended also by Alexandria University President Mohamed Abdallah, said Awad, adding that the university would open a branch in Sudan’s Juba. The Egyptian armed forces will establish a hospital in south Sudan, while the Egyptian Foreign Ministry will open a consulate in Juba, Awad said.
He noted that Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif held a month ago a meeting in preparation for the fourth Egyptian-Sudanese higher committee meetings, planned to be held in November.
The Egyptian presidential spokesman said Cairo is taking part in intensive efforts aiming to resolve the Darfur crisis, noting that the situation in the region was very complicated. Egypt is also encouraging the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to participate in the Abuja negotiations, said Awad. Negotiations should continue without preconditions and self-restraint should be exercised on both sides, he added.
Cairo is keen on achieving a comprehensive peace in Sudan, putting into consideration the country’s integrity, Awad said.
The delay in announcing the line-up of the transitional Sudanese government was due to the failure to begin negotiations between Khartoum and the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on 16 June, as had been agreed upon.
(ST)