Speed up formation of Abyei Referendum Commission: Ugandan envoy

By Julius N. Uma

October 11, 2010 (JUBA) – The major signatories and key witnesses to Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement should speed up the process of forming a commission to conduct a referendum on the future of the oil rich region of Abyei, a top Ugandan envoy to South Sudan has advised.

Busho Ndinyenka, the Consul General at the Juba-based Uganda consulate made the remark speaking during celebrations marking Uganda’s 48th independence anniversary. Uganda attained its independence from Britain on 9 October, 1962.

The Ugandan government, he said, alongside the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) friends, and the international community to agitate for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) especially the timely conduct of South Sudan and Abyei referenda.

Both the referendum on south independence and Abyei’s vote on whether to become part of the south are running behind schedule. A commission to oversee Abyei’s referendum has still to formed. Talks in Ethiopia between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), who have governed the south since the CPA was signed in 2005, and the central government, controlled by the National Congress Party, have stalled.

The borders of Abyei were outlined in a binding ruling in July 2009 by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The Messeriya and Dinka Ngok tribes currently occupy the area.

The event attended by over 100 people, which was based on the theme, “Greater Cooperation between Southern Sudan and Uganda for a prosperous and secure region,” was held at Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba, the capital of the autonomous region of south Sudan.

Citing what he described as the improved and cordial relations between Uganda and the semi-autonomous region, Ndinyenka said achieving regional peace and security should be viewed as a collective effort involving key stakeholders.

“I would like at the outset to assure the people of Sudan that Uganda supports full implementation of the CPA in letter and spirit and will work together towards this end,” the Ugandan envoy said, amidst cheers from the crowd.

The Consul General also denied reports he attributed to the Khartoum-based Government of National Unity (GONU), alleging that Uganda is responsible for the impending secession of Southern Sudan.

“This is far from the truth. We guaranteed the CPA with other international friends and vowed to promote the unity of the Sudan. Uganda’s Pan-African credentials cannot be doubted.”
Uganda, he emphasized, will not shoulder the “mistakes” of other governments in the region, but instead focus on issues that will guarantee success in the forthcoming referendum and the full implementation of the 2005 peace deal.

The Ugandan envoy appealed to the Ugandan community to desist from activities that are likely to strain relations between the two neighboring regions, saying such good relations could boost the east African regional integration.

Last week, ThyssenKrupp, a German based firm announced its commitment to oversee a multi-billion railway project that will link Uganda’s northern town of Gulu to Juba. The huge project, estimated to cost between $ 2 billion and $ 3 billion will build a network about 725km, opening up regional markets for imports and exports.

Among the diplomats present were Kosti Manibe, the Cabinet Affairs Minister in the southern Sudan government, Elijah Malok, the Governor Bank of Southern Sudan (BoSS) and Alfred Ladu Gore, a Presidential advisor.

(ST)