Egypt says working to save unity of Sudan
May 9, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and intelligence Chief Omer Suleiman met today with Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir vowing that Cairo will do everything in its power to preserve the country’s unity ahead of the 2011 referendum in South Sudan.
The top Egyptian official said that his delegation held useful consultations on the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the future status and the referendum in the south.
He further said that Cairo will continue to support developmental projects in the South to encourage citizens there to support unity. Aboul-Gheit also revealed that his government proposed a conference in Cairo between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) “to support unity”.
However, the Egyptian official reiterated that his country will respect the choice of the Southerners in the 2011 referendum.
Egypt is concerned that a probable South Sudan independence in 2011 will further weaken its position with regards to the intense diplomatic battle it is fighting with Nile basin countries which is seeking to re-allocate water sharing accords.
“While Egyptian officials try to downplay the water concerns, some worry an independent South would soon join the groundswell of states objecting to the standing agreements,” said a report by the International Crisis Group released on Thursday.
Some legal experts say that the water agreements will still be binding to the new state in line with International Law.
A 1959 accord between Cairo and Khartoum reserves 55.5 billion cubic meters a year for Egypt and 18.5 billion cubic meters for Sudan, a combined total of 87% of the river’s water, leaving just 13 percent for other Nile Basin states.
Last month, Egypt rejected any new plans for Nile water allocation, stressing that its share in the river was a “historic right” with Sudan considered a strong ally.
“Sudan and Egypt agree completely on the question of Nile waters. We are ready to continue discussions with other countries and to cooperate to build a bridge and reach a final agreement that will satisfy all the Nile Basin Initiative countries,” Aboul-Gheit said.
(ST)
man of men
Egypt says working to save unity of Sudan
yep Egyp and lom akol are working days and night to united sudan.
death to Egyptain and lam akol and risk machar teny dogzgonis
Gat nyaraan
Egypt says working to save unity of Sudan
the Egyptians want to sabotage the referendum that is why they send Omar seuleman, and Ahamad Aboulgeit to Sudan to try persuade especially the south to shy away from separation.
the Egyptians seem to be ignorant or selfish with their greed for the nile water. did they forget that just for the past 21 years 2.5 million southerners have died to obtain that referendum and other rights. and just for the sake of egypt ‘s happiness, we can just give them a leeway water domination in lieu of our freedom. what logic is that?
besides that Nile water agreement between Egypt and Sudan was totally skewed and unfair. several African countries were given just 13 precent and and 2 countries got 87%. Egypt should thank God that African leaders are ignorant of their rights. but in the near future that agreement will be renegotiated and each country gets its fair share.
Makol Dhal
Egypt says working to save unity of Sudan
Sudan affairs are always been complicated by foreign interference! what is the concern of Egypt in referendum? Did people discuss water issue in Neivasha?
Unity attractive is gone, and issue of water is different thing altogather. South Sudan as an entity would understand with Egypt over the issue of the water.
Dansedit
Egypt says working to save unity of Sudan
Thanks Egpytian, for trying to come up with projects in south sudan to unite sudan,however this is wrong time for your projects in South sudan !what have been doing all this time when the Arabs in khartoum have been exploiting us by imposing Islamic ideologies by force to us in sudan,watch out for that we are tired of Unity.South sudan leaders should even stop discussing unity in sudan ,we don’t want unity in an circumstances.
belle gatlueng liah
Egypt says working to save unity of Sudan
Let the Arabs stop ugly sharia law in Sudan before we decided for the Unity. Let Northerner know that they are not Arabs but Africans by Naturalization otherwise no unity.
Kur
Egypt says working to save unity of Sudan
Developmental projects that Egypt talks about are meant to persuade the people of South Sudan to vote for the so-called unity of Sudan, but other than that there is no reason for Egyptians to provide assistance in the South of Sudan. Well, well, well, we’ve received the message. The intention of Egypt is that the people of South Sudan should remain as second class citizens of Sudan because keeping Sudan one is far more important than the dignity, freedom, and welbeing of the people of South Sudan who have suffered humiliation for decades. Let’s wait and see.
Kur