Minawi assumes his office as senior presidential aide
Aug 8, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The Senior Assistant of the President of the Republic and Chairman of the Interim Regional Authority in Darfur, Minni Arcu Minawi, Tuesday assumed his office at the Republican Palace, in the presence of the Presidential Advisor, Magzoub Al-Khalifa, and the Undersecretary at the Presidency of the Republic, al-Kindi Yousif.
The only rebel leader to have signed onto a peace deal for Darfur was sworn in Monday 7 August as a senior aide to the Sudanese president.
Menawi said that his assumption to the position was marking the start to implement Darfur peace agreement on the ground.
He called on the Sudanese people in general and the citizens of Darfur to unite their rank and to cooperate for more stability, security and development in Darfur.
Minawi said that his work priorities include the handling of the humanitarian situation, support to the return of the refugees and displaced people to their villages and towns, rehabilitation of the war-affected areas as well as the improvement of services in Darfur.
On Monday, the Senior Assistant affirmed the necessity of work to normalize the Sudanese-Chadian relations as they have positive effects on the security situations in Darfur. The SLM Minawi accuses Chad of arming the holdout rebels groups in Darfur.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Advisor, Dr. Majzoub al-Khalifa, said that the assumption of Menawi to his position was the first practical step in implementation of Darfur peace agreement.
He said that the assumption of Menawi to the position of the Senior Assistant of the President of the Republic affirms the credibility of the government and the signatory parties to implement the peace agreement.
Nonetheless, another faction who joined the Darfur Peace Agreement, the SLM- free will said they are objecting the appointment of Minawi as Senior Presidential Assistant. Abdelrahman Musa the chairperson of the former rebel group said they will sue the Sudanese government before the African Union because Minawi is named without consultations with the other signatories as it is stipulated in the deal.
(ST)