South Sudan Vice-President, EU envoy review peace process

May 19, 2007 (JUBA) — Vice-President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) Riek Machar has reviewed the progress of the peace process in the country. During his meeting with the EU envoy in Juba, Machar outlined the SPLM’s future contributions to solve the Darfur conflict, as well as its efforts to push forward negotiations between the Ugandan Government and the Uganda rebel LRA.

Vice-President of the Government of Southern Sudan Riek Machar on Friday, briefed the EU special representative to Sudan, Torben Brylle, who arrived in Juba the day before yesterday, on the efforts made by the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM to overcome obstacles facing the implementation of some protocols in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Machar assured the European envoy that the forthcoming meeting between the NC and the SPLM on May 27 would address the pending issues on the implementation of the agreement.

Machar also briefed the envoy on the SPLM’s role in trying to solve the Darfur issue, pointing out that the SPLM was striving to bring together the armed groups for a meeting which is to take place in Juba soon.

He also pointed out the GOSS’ mediation between the Ugandan government and the LRA, saying the talks between the two sides had achieved a steady progress.

For his part, the EU envoy said the EU would support the implementation of the clauses of the CPA and the GOSS’ mediating efforts between the parties to the Ugandan conflict. He also expressed his understanding about obstacles facing the Darfur issue.

Torben Brylle, former Denmark’s ambassador to Egypt has been appointed the European Union’s special envoy to Sudan on 19 April.

Torben Brylle, a 58-year-old career diplomat, represents the 27-member EU in negotiations with the Sudanese government, a post that has taken on significance as the situation in the troubled region of Darfur deteriorates.

Brylle assumes his new role since May 1.

(ST)