US senate chairman on foreign relations meets South Sudan leadership
October 23, 2010 (JUBA) – The chairman of US Senate’s Foreign Relations Commitee, John Kerry, met with the President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit ahead of the regions self determination vote in January.
The oil-rich region of Abyei is also due to vote simultaneously on whether it will join the south or remain in the north.
Both referenda were agreed to in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the former southern rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).
The peace deal also agreed to set up popular consultations in Blue Nile state and the Nuba Mountains in south Kordofan. Some parts of these areas were occupied and fought with the SPLA during the 22 year civil war.
The Vice President all also discussed with Kerry the popular consultations underway in Blue Nile state and the Nuba Mountains in south Kordofan. Both areas were contested and at time occupied by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army
The meeting stressed the importance of holding the January referendum in Southern Sudan as scheduled for 9 January 2011, and to be conducted concurrently with the other referendum for Abyei and popular consultations in Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains.
Briefing the press after the meeting, Senator Kerry said “I want to thank President Kiir and the Vice President Dr. Riek Machar for welcoming me here in Juba today. We have discussed many issues regarding the referendum.”
He however said he would not have detailed comments about the meeting until he meets in Khartoum with the leadership of the National Congress Party.
Kerry said that the US will “remain deeply committed to the referendum”.
(ST)
Gatwech
US senate chairman on foreign relations meets South Sudan leadership
USA, thank you alot for the great support you provide to the referendum process. Khartoum’s Bashir should be told with you holding a stick on his face, and not carrot on his nose, that the referenda in South Sudan and Abyei must be conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere on 9th January 2011 without any one minute delay.
They signed for it in Naivasha, Kenya, and should implement it fully and timely!
May God bless America!