UN reaffirms neutrality says Ban supporting Sudan’s CPA
February 2, 2010 (NEW YORK) — The United Nations has stressed its neutrality on southern Sudan referendum saying Ban Ki-Moon remarks are based on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the United Nations mandate in Sudan.
“Any suggestion that the United Nations may have taken a position that may prejudge the outcome of such a referendum is incorrect,” he emphasized.
The Agence France Presse last week quoted the UN Secretary General as saying “The UN has a big responsibility with the AU to maintain peace in Sudan and make unity attractive.”
Ban had further stressed “Whatever the result of the referendum we have to think how to manage the outcome. It is very important for Sudan but also for the region,” he said; adding “We’ll work hard to avoid a possible secession.”
These statements were published one day after statements by the chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping who expressed concerns about the independence of the southern Sudan saying it will push Darfur rebels to seek the same fate.
“We have a feeling that we are sitting on a powder keg,” Ping said.
During a high level meeting on Sudan held in the sidelines of the 14th African Summit in Addis Ababa, Ban Ki-Moon stressed the duty of the two peace partners to make unity attractive. He also urged them to reach an agreement on the key post referendum arrangement.
“To the CPA parties, I urge an acceleration of efforts to make unity attractive. I call on them to ensure an environment in which candidates can campaign freely and the people of Sudan can vote without any interference,” he said.
“The referenda in Southern Sudan and Abyei need to be held without hindrance and the results duly respected, he added.
(ST)