SPLM requests Ethiopian role to end Sudan’s peace crisis

October 20, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — A Southern Sudan government delegation requested Ethiopia to exert efforts within the frame of IGAD and African Union organization to settle political crisis between Sudan peace partners.

The head of delegation, Southern Sudan Minister of Information, Samson Kwaje, told the press following a meeting with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here on Saturday that there is a political crisis threatening the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the National Congress Party and the Sudan people’s Liberation Movement (SPM).

Kwaje said that the SPLM froze its membership of the government last week after months of stalemate on implementing major elements of the 2005 peace deal that ended Africa’s longest war.

The Minister said as Ethiopia is influential to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU) it should exert efforts to find peaceful solution to the existing political problem in Sudan.

He said the Southern Sudan government desires Ethiopia to mediate both sides with a view to implementing the agreement reached in 2005.

Kwaje said Meles assured that Ethiopia would provide support in the efforts to implement the peace agreement reached in 2005 between the two parties.

The Prime Minister confirmed that Ethiopia would work in collaboration with IGAD, AU and the international community with a view to bringing about peace and stability in Sudan, Kwaje said.

Sudanese First Vice President, Salva Kiir Mayadrit will meet Sunday with Eritrean president, Isaias Afewerki, who will visit Khartoum tomorrow. Salva is expected to ask Isais, as IGAD member, to contribute to the settlement of the current crisis related to the CPA implementation.

(ST)