Sudan’s CPA partners head to Washington to evaluate peace deal

By James Gatdet Dak

June 15, 2009 (JUBA) – A high level delegation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) heads to Washington, DC on Tuesday to participate in evaluation of the implementation of the 2005 peace deal.

Yasser Arman, the Deputy Secretary General for Northern Sector told the press on Monday in Juba that delegations of the National Congress Party (NCP) and SPLM will converge in the United States capital to evaluate the Comprehensive Peace Agreement’s (CPA) implementation.

He said the biggest issue on the agenda is the upcoming conduct of referendum in Southern Sudan which is scheduled to take place 18 months from now in January 2011.

“Referendum will be the biggest event ever in the history of modern Sudan since 1956,” said Arman, warning that the time was running out.

He said the SPLM’s strong team of about ten officials will be led by the party’s Deputy Chairperson, Malik Agaar, who is also the Governor of Southern Blue Nile state.

Countries that were witnesses to the CPA are also expected to participate in the Washington meeting.

Arman added that other issues to be discussed will include the undergoing review of national laws, the respective popular consultations for Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile and the Darfur conflict, among others.

He did not say who was going to lead the NCP delegation to the meeting.

(ST)