Sudan national assembly adopts South Kordofan, Blue Nile people’s consultation bill
December 30, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese National Assembly today endorsed the People’s Consultation Act for the residents of South Kordofan and the Blue Nile State before adjourning its session until the April 2010 parliamentary and presidential elections are held.
Sudan official news agency (SUNA) said that the act gives the residents of South Kordofan and the Blue Nile States the right to express their opinions in compliance with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the protocol on resolving the dispute in the two states as well as reflecting their views through two parliamentary commissions on how satisfied they are with the implementation.
The Act detailed the terms of reference of the popular consultation and its objectives of the exercise of the right advice, the establishment of the commission and its composition. Article five of the act explains the procedures for conducting the popular consultation through international and regional organizations, civil society organizations as well as the political forces.
The law also defined the mandate and powers of the two offices and commissions and the outcome of the popular consultation through the adoption or non-adoption by the state legislature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the authority of issuing rules and regulations.
The People’s Consultation Act for the residents of South Kordofan and the Blue Nile State is the last in a series of laws adopted this week that included mainly the South Sudan and Abyei referendum laws which were subject of intense debate between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM).
(ST)