Kenya’s Moi, S. Africa to promote peace in South Sudan
Feb 23, 2006 (NAIROBI) — Kenya’s former president Daniel Moi’s peace mission said on Thursday it will partner with South Africa to promote peace in southern Sudan.
A statement from Moi Africa Institute said South Africa has set aside 300 million shillings (about 450,000 U.S. dollars) to train the southern Sudanese on how to run their government.
The statement said the Moi Africa Institute founder, former president Moi, has agreed to collaborate with South Africa to promote public administration structures and consolidate peace in the new democracy.
South African President Thabo Mbeki had made the request through his special envoy for East Africa, Sudan and Somalia Ambassador L. M. Makhubela.
“South Africa is keen to benefit from Moi’s vast knowledge and experience in the political dynamics of the region,” Mbeki said.
Mbeki said Moi, through his institute, had played a critical role in the integration of various interest groups in southern Sudan.
He said there was need for constant and elaborate communication between his country and the institute.
Makhubela was on his way to southern Sudan’s provisional capital Juba to assess training needs in the area.
Moi conceded to the request noting that schools and medical facilities are priorities in southern Sudan.
Last year South Africa pledged to support the ex-Kenyan leader’ s peace foundation, describing it as a “key mediator” in the Sudan peace process.
The Moi peace foundation has been involved in peace initiatives with southern Sudan militia leaders which culminated in signing Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration where the leaders of southern Sudan’s militia groups agreed to merge to consolidate peace.
The militia groups have appealed to the international community to support this agreement as it will consolidate peace in the Sudan and bring about lasting peace among the people of southern Sudan.
The Africa’s longest-running conflict officially ended on Jan. 9, 2005 as representatives of the Sudanese government and rebel forces signed a comprehensive peace accord that gives the southern part of the country religious and political autonomy and a share of Sudan’s oil riches.
The two-decade civil war, which pitted the Islamic government against rebels based in the mostly animist and Christian south, left 2 million people dead, primarily from famine and disease, and 4 million homeless.
(Xinhua/ST)