Norway heads monitoring commission of Sudan peace deal
Nov 14, 2005 (OSLO) — Norway government appointed Ambassador Tom Vraalsen to lead the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) on behalf of Norway, a press statement issued by Oslo said.
The international commission is to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
The AEC will play a very important part in the follow-up of the peace agreement. “I am delighted that Norway has been chosen to lead the commission, represented by Ambassador Tom Vraalsen” said International Development Minister Erik Solheim.
The minister will discuss the commission’s tasks during his talks with the authorities in Khartoum this week, Solheim said that “Norway will continue to be deeply involved in the peace process in Sudan.”
The commission was established by decree by Sudan’s President Omar al-Beshir on 30 October.
Beside the Norwegian presidency, the members of the commission are Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and the UK. The UN, the EU, the AU and the Arab League have observer status.
The AEC’s mandate has been set out in the peace agreement, which was signed on 9 January this year. It is a broad mandate to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the peace agreement.
The commission will, among other things, submit regular reports and provide advice to the Sudanese presidency. It will also monitor whether the international community honours its pledges of support for the implementation of the peace agreement.
The term of the mandate is for the interim period of six years leading up to the referendum to determine whether South Sudan is to remain part of Sudan.
(ST)