UN panel arrives in Khartoum for talks on referendum with Sudanese officials
October 10, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — A UN panel, recently appointed to monitor southern Sudan referendum, arrived in Khartoum on Sunday in a four-day visit to Sudan.
Chaired by former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapato, the three-member panel is expected to hold talks with Sudanese government officials in Khartoum, Juba and Abyei.
Appointed by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in September, the panel will seek to strengthen confidence between the two peace partners in the referendum process and encouraging them to resolve disputes or divergences related to the vote process.
“I am looking forward to this visit and the opportunity to meet with all the people who can help ensure that these referenda in Southern Sudan and the Abyei Area are successful,” Mkapa said. “There are many challenges ahead of us in the next few months but we are determined to do our utmost to help the people of Sudan.”
The two 2005 peace deal signatories cast doubt on the credibility of each other to hold a fair and free referendum.
A referendum on self-determination is scheduled to take place on January 9, 2011. The referendum was stipulated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), inked between northern and southern Sudan in 2005.
The other members are António Monteiro, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, and Bhojraj Pokharel, former Chairman of the Election Commission of Nepal.
(ST)
DASODIKO
UN panel arrives to Khartoum for talks on referendum with Sudanese officials
National Congress Party did not respect the UNSC delegation, do you think they will abide with what they will agree with weak delegation of the UN? I think its just a loosing of time and a chance for Islamists to complete the deployemnt of their forces across all South North Boarders. Actions are seen more than words of mouth.