Obama’s envoy in talks with S. Sudan president over fragile peace
April 6, 2009 (JUBA) – In their first meeting, the US presidential envoy to Sudan and the President of Southern Sudan government discussed at length the outstanding issues facing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, according to information released by the regional government.
The two men, both of them highly decorated generals, shared a like appearance in their wide-brimmed hats.
General Salva Kiir Mayardit — GOSS president, leader of the region’s ruling party and also Vice President of the Republic — met for two hours in his office with the envoy sent last Monday by US President Barack Obama, former Air Force General Scott Gration.
“The meeting was very constructive and fruitful,” said the US envoy said afterwards, resorting again to the positive tone he had struck on an unexpectedly cordial-seeming visit to Khartoum last week.
“I am optimistic that my visit to Khartoum, Juba, Darfur and tomorrow to Abyei will a good thing and beneficial to the Sudan; I will be visiting Juba more often when necessary, South Sudan is a very beautiful land and its leader President Salva Kiir is very humble, friendly and a good leader.”
Gration visits Abyei tomorrow, a flashpoint area in legal dispute and formerly heavily militarized. According to a journalist in the Government of Southern Sudan, the envoy discussed the Abyei issue today with Kiir.
Abyei suffered heavy displacement and damage last year in a brief round of fighting between armies of north and south Sudan. Gration’s predecessor, US Special Envoy Richard Williamson, also visited the town and came away from a visit in May 2008 saying that the deserted town “was really like an apocalypse.”
The high-level meeting today also discussed a number of issues in regard to the US-Sudan bilateral relations, development and many other important issues related the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. They also discussed the census, elections, Darfur and the GOSS and SPLM position on the International Criminal Court arrest warrant of President Al-Beshir.
The meeting was attended by US Charge d’Affaires to Sudan Alberto Fernandez, US Consul General to Juba Christopher Datta, USAID Sudan Director Bill Hammink, USAID South Sudan Director Peter Malnak, and State Department official Tim Shortley.
Sudanese officials attending the meeting were Presidential Advisor Monsur Khalid, Minister for Presidential Affairs Luka Biong Deng, Minister for Internal Affairs Paul Mayom Akec, Minister for SPLA Affairs Lt. General Nhial Deng Nhial, Minister for Regional Cooperation Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry Samson Lukare Kwaje, Sudanese Ambassador to the United States of America Akec Khoc and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Regional Cooperation Cirino Hiteng Ofuho.
(ST)