World focus on Darfur could hamper CPA – South SUdan
August 24, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — South Sudan’s information minister voiced concerns Friday that the world focus on ending the conflict in Darfur could hamper the implementation of the peace deal between Khartoum and the south.
“The conflict in Darfur impacts the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in many ways,” Samson Kwaje told AFP after a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on the implementation of the north-south accord.
“The money pledged is going towards that conflict, so are political support and political attention,” he added.
In April 2005, the international community pledged 4.5 billion dollars (about 3.5 billion euros) for the reconstruction of southern Sudan, but government officials have said that little has trickled in.
The agreement signed in January 2005 ended two decades of fighting between Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, which now sits in unity government with President Omar al-Beshir’s party.
But the implementation of the deal has been dogged by persistent distrust between the former foes and mutual accusations of stalling on key points such as disputed border territories and the sharing of oil revenue.
Since the signing of the north-south peace deal, international attention has turned to the western region of Darfur, which has been mired in a deadly civil conflict since February 2003.
After months of intense diplomatic jockeying, the international community obtained Sudan’s green light last month for the deployment of the world’s largest peacekeeping mission in Darfur.
Following consultations earlier this month with Darfur’s myriad rebel groups, plans are now afoot for a speedy resumption of final settlement talks.
But Kwaje warned that peace in the south and in Darfur were closely linked and that overlooking the former could negatively affect the latter.
“Darfurians believe the CPA is a model for stability. If it collapses, then there won’t be peace in Darfur,” he said.
The southern Sudanese minister singled out the oil-rich southern region of Abyei as a particular source of concern.
“Oil is being mined in the area but it is only benefitting the North. Our major concern is stability in Abyei, since there is no administration there,” he explained.
AU Commissioner for Peace and Security echoed concerns over the Abyei region and also stressed that an effective implementation of the north-south peace deal would boost the chances of peace in Darfur.
“The implimentation of the CPA would consolidate unity and stability in Sudan. We believe that it would provide a lasting solution not just for Sudan but also for the entire region,” he told reporters after the meeting.
“We are concerned about the slow implementation, especially over Abyei, and the lack of funds coming over as pledged by countries,” he added. “We encourage both sides to expedite their efforts because time is not on our side.
The meeting was attended by Daniel arap Moi, the former president of Kenya who was recently appointed a special mediator for the souther Sudan peace process.
A population census in Sudan is due to take place in April 2008 before elections take place, in compliance with the peace deal.
Southern Sudan is due to hold a referendum on self-determination three years later.
(AFP)