Sudan begins demining of Peace Road in Malakal – Bor sectors
December 13, 2008 (MALAKAL) — Sudan has started on Saturday the demining of Peace Road Fulj- Malakal and Ayod-Bor sectors. The project is expected to link northern and southern Sudan.
The launching of demining operations was attended in Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State by the minister of roads and Bridges Philip Thon Leek, the minister of humanitarian affairs, Harun Lual, the state minister for humanitarian affairs and secretary general of the national centre for combating landmines Ahmed Haroun, Undersecretary at the ministry of humanitarian affairs Charles Mayang and governor of Upper Nile State Gatluak Deng Garang.
During a visit to Juba last September President Omer Al-bashir said the government of Sudan had signed a loan agreement with the government of China for the construction of the Peace Road.
The Kuwait-based Arab Bank for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) also agreed to finance the project at a cost of US$75 million.
The Sudanese minister of transport, roads, and bridges, said this week that the national unity government plans during the upcoming 2009 to Sudan with neighbouring countries through construction of vital road like the Peace road which should facilitate the linking of Sudan with Uganda and Kenya.
The five year plan according to Philip Thon Leek, should link the 26 states with 30,000 of roads.
He said that the plan is part of Sudan’s five-year plan to bring development and peace. He added that the plan includes linking the states with 30,000 km of roads, noting that 3,000 km have been completed so far. He explained that the goal is a little more than 30,000 km.
The demining would be implemented by working groups composed of engineers from the Sudan Armed Forces, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army that have received training in the International Mine Action Training Center in Nairobi, Kenya.
(ST)