Sudan formally withdraws from Cotonou Agreement amendments
June 23, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government formally submitted to the European Union (EU) a notification of withdrawal from the amendments made to the Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP)-European Union (EU) Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CA) signed in 2005.
Al-Rasoul delivered a message from Sudanese foreign minister Deng Alor informing the EU of its decision to withdraw from the amendments introduced to the CA in 25 June 2005.
The Sudanese official said that his country does not want to be part of the changes and the government has no legal obligations with regard to what it signed in 2005.
He further indicated that the decision was motivated by a stipulation to CA member nations to take steps towards ratifying the Rome Statute which is the founding text of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Last March the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir over allegations of masterminding war crimes in the Western region of Darfur.
The UN Security Council referred the Darfur case to the ICC for investigation in March 2005 under a Chapter VII resolution since Sudan is not a member of the ICC.
Al-Rasoul added that Sudan has reservations over provisions in the amendments related to combating HIV through safe sex practices and birth control.
The Cotonou treaty in its original format aims at the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty while contributing to sustainable development and to the gradual integration of ACP countries into the world economy.
However, the revised Agreement incorporates the fight against impunity and promotion of criminal justice through the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The parties shall seek to take steps towards ratifying and implementing the Rome Statute and related instruments,” the agreement reads.
As a result of the withdrawal Sudan may be denied access to approximately 300 million euro effective immediately.
A large portion of the funds was allocated to support the semi-autonomous Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
GoSS is currently under financial duress due to the sharp drop in oil prices and has urged international community to cover the revenue shortfall which mostly goes to salaries and compensation of civil servants.
(ST)
Aparana
Sudan formally withdraws from Cotonou Agreement amendments
Sudan has all right to withdraw from this mordern colonial system called cotonou. To hell with their 300 million Euros bribe.
To those ignorants that were bleming Dr. Lam Akol for executing GONU policies, now you should know that Deng Alor is also implementing GONU policies, not that of SPLM.
Mr Point
Sudan formally withdraws from 2005 Agreement
“The Sudanese official said that his country does not want to be part of the changes and the government has no legal obligations with regard to what it signed in 2005”.
Is it legal to drop an agreement that was signed in 2005?
Does this affect all agreements signed in 2005?
Need more information on the reason for this
Mr Point
South Sudan is standing bail for Bashir
“A large portion of the funds was allocated to support the semi-autonomous Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)”.
It is very brave of South Sudan to give up the millions of dollars allocated to support GOSS and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement so that Bashir does not have to face a fair hearing at the Hage.
What does South Sudan get from Bashir for doing this?
Abyei?
Kur
Sudan formally withdraws from Cotonou Agreement amendments
Withdrawing from the Cotonou Agreement because it has included the provision that requires the signatories to take steps to ratify the Rome Statute, whic established the ICC, is not a solution. The solution is to bring to an end the war in Darfur and allow justice to take its course.The Security Council referred the Darfur case to the ICC, but Sudan has not withdrawn from the UN. Hence, for Sudan to withdraw from the CA in order not to ratify the Rome Statute is a pure nonsense. One man cannot be allowed to hold the country hostage, and make it lose all international benefits for the purpose of defending one criminal.No, to all these rubbish policies.
Now Sudan will lose 300 million dollars from the CA because it has moved away from the agreement.This assistance could have been available to change the lives of millions of Southern Sudanese striken by poverty created by the regime in Khartoum. So the people of South Sudan must be aware of this economic war directed at them. We the Sudanese people in general must also withdraw our support from those leaders who want to keep the country at war with itself indefinitely in order to stay power.
Kur