Sudan’s NCP and SPLM discuss Referendum and Security Laws

By James Gatdet Dak

December 15, 2008 (JUBA) – The two parties to the Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) have resumed dialogue to implement the remaining outstanding issues in the peace deal that ended 21 years of war in 2005.

The National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) are expected to discuss in Khartoum beginning on Monday both the Referendum Act and Security Law among others.

Shortly before his departure to Khartoum on Monday, the Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan and Chairman of the SPLM’s High Executive Political Committee, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, said he was leading his delegation to the national capital to workout the Referendum Act with their counter-part.

Machar who will co-chair the meeting with the Vice President of the Republic, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha added that they will also discuss the structure for administration of the National Security, particularly on how many deputies should the Director General for Security have and powers for arrest.

The landmark peace deal which was signed on January 9, 2005, under the mediation of the Kenyan government, provides for referendum on self-determination in 2011 by the people of Southern Sudan to vote for unity of the country or secession.

The people of Abyei will also vote concurrently to either join the South or remain with the North.

Enactment of Referendum Law is very important for smooth exercise of the two referenda.

(ST)