SPLM urges concern for IDPs, refugees’ repatriation

June 27, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The governments of national unity and South Sudan have to give more concern for the repatriation of displaced persons and refugees where few has been done in this regards, said a leading member of the former rebel SPLM.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of Sudan Liberation Movement (SPLM), Yasser Arman, has called for a national comprehensive plan for the repatriation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), saying such plan has to be worked out by the government of national unity and south Sudan government.

Arman made the call at a media parliamentary forum held on Tuesday.

He called on the federal government to shoulder up its responsibility for repatriation of the refugees and IDPs to their home areas, in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

National Unity government has to assumes all fees of transport and repatriation, said Arman.

he said that the delay in conducting the repatriation process in south Sudan as unacceptable and unjustifiable after elapse of 18 months sine the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Arman stressed the necessity of the repatriation of the displaced and refugees to their home areas, especially with regard to the upcoming population census, elections and the referendum on self-determination for south Sudan.

Meanwhile, a report of the Humanitarian Affairs Committee at the National Assembly disclosed that around 67% of the displaced people have the intention to return to their home areas.

The National Assembly has approved the report of its Humanitarian Affairs Committee, which was presented by Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hassabal-Rasoul Amer.
The report underscored the plan of the ministry for repatriation of around 900,000 southern displaced people to their home areas.

(ST)