African Union urged to assess Sudan’s next year election
August 28, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) called on the Commission of the Union to send a pre-election team to Sudan to assess the ongoing preparation for the next year elections.
The African peace and security body held a meeting in the Ethiopian capital on August 25 to review progress in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Sudanese government led by the National Congress Party and the former rebel Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM).
The 201st meeting of the AUPSC was attended by delegations from the two peace partners – NCP and SPLM — as well representatives from regional and international organizations.
During the Friday meeting South Sudan International Cooperation minister, General Oyai Deng Ajak accused the NCP of trying to undermine the CPA and sabotaging the referendum. He also said that the semi-autonomous region would not consider any delay.
“GOSS and south Sudan’s people will not entertain any delay of the referendum … which is a clear violation of the CPA.” he said at the AU meeting.
The delegation should meet the Sudanese government and other stakeholders that involve in the preparations in the 2010 election to assess readiness of the Sudanese electoral process, and review the states of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) implementation in that country.
The Council also said gravelly concerned by the deteriorating security situations in Southern Sudan exacerbated by inter and intra tribal armed conflicts.
It also expressed grave concern over the continued threats posed by the Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army to the security and humanitarian situation in Southern Sudan. Further, the AU PSC called on the international community to exert pressure on LRA to sign the final peace agreement in the context of Juba Peace Process.
(ST)