US envoy discusses CPA implementation with Sudanese officials

November 1, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — US President Special Envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, started Wednesday evening a four days visit to discuss row between federal government partners on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Natsios met today the second presidential deputy, Ali Osman Taha, to discuss the implementation a peace agreement signed by the Sudanese government and the former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in January 2005.

The US envoy arrived Thursday evening to Juba where he is expected to hold talks with the first vice-president and president of southern Sudan government, Salva Kiir Mayadrit.

The American official, who was in Sudan at the end of September, didn’t make press statement. The silence of Nastios can be considered as sign of difficulties. The SPLM wants outside help while the NCP rejects international intervention.

Last September, Salva Kiir requested the intervention of the international community to resolve the disputed issue over the implementation of the CPA.

In a meeting held on September 28 befor the suspension of the SPLM participation in the national unity government, Salva Kiir had informed Andrew Natsios that it is necessary for the Naivasha partners, the National Congress Party and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, to sit together and resolve the outstanding issues regarding the implementation of the peace deal.

However, Sudanese ruling party objected any regional or international intervention in the CPA implementation. President Omer al-Bashir in a speech before the federal parliament on October 23 urged the SPLM to go back on its pullout from the national cabinet. He said SPLM involvement in government is “the best guarantee that the CPA will be applied.”

Natsios arrived to Khartoum from Sirte where he attended the opening of Darfur peace talks.

(ST)