U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
November 5, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The U.S. senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee made a previously unannounced visit to Khartoum, his second one to the country in a little over a week.
The U.S. lawmaker said during his trip in the last week of October that he received written assurances from the Sudanese government that it would respect the January 9, 2011 date for the referendum in the South of the country despite mounting challenges to meet the deadline.
The peace agreement signed in 2005 called for a referendum on whether the south will become its own state. But the agreement did not spell out how the north and the south will resolve a host of complex and contentious issues, including citizenship, wealth sharing, national debt and water agreements.
Kerry had warned during his last visit of tougher sanctions if either the North or South governments places obstacles in the way of the independence vote.
But the presidential adviser and former spy chief Salah Gosh told reporters after a meeting with the U.S. senator that the latter has received “firm promises” that decades-long economic sanctions would be lifted should the referendum be completed smoothly as scheduled.
Gosh also said Kerry gave his word that Sudan would be removed from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism.
A well-placed source in Khartoum told Sudan Tribune that Western diplomats in the capital believe that Kerry likely came back with a detailed proposal for normalizing ties should Sudan heeds to U.S. demands. The offer would also include U.S. support for deferring the arrest warrant against Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir through the UN Security Council for one year that can be renewed indefinitely.
Kerry is the lead author of legislation in the US Congress to cement Washington’s engagement with Sudan after the referendum, including certain types of US aid for security forces and civil aviation.
The United States has banned virtually all trade with Sudan since 1997.
Sudan has been on the US sanctions list as an alleged supporter of Islamic militant groups and over the situation in its war-torn western region of Darfur.
(ST)
Marco A. Wek
U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
Good job Senator John Kerry. The Northern Sudanese government only works well under pressure.
Ito
U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
It is good to again hear that the U.S Senator John Kerry has reiterated his government’s position on the sticky issues that are suspected to be capable of dragging the country back to war if not halted at an earlier stage. The Abyei issue should not again be brought into the negotiating table; this matter in fact has already been decided by the arbiters in the Haque. NCP and SPLM representatives were there to present their arguments which led to the final resolution by the arbitration team.
Other sticky issues that are in letter should be implemented as agreed without any delay. Failure to do so would lead to a unilateral declaration of independence by the Southern house of assembly. All clauses in the CPA has to be address according to the prescribe procedures without any diversion. Senator, please keep on pressuring Khartoum to relax their positions on the aforemention items and don’t lift up sanctions on Sudan until it proves to the world that it is not a host for terrorists and that it is a country of equal citizenship by granting its citizens freedom to exercise their human rights. The Abyei referendum should concurrently go with that of South Sudan as spelt out in letter.
Blessings to South Sudan and its People
DASODIKO
U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
Kerry you will come back to my conclusion, that these Islamists never repect any oath or agreement they cut before anyone. The only and the only that they understand is language of former President Bush and Clinton who uses language of forces against these arrogants. Giving a room for negociation with the Islamist is as giving chance to plan against what you want them to do!!
Mzalendo Mwema
U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
Dear Peace Loving Nations,
I appreciate all of you for your commitment to bring peace to the people of Southern Sudan which impacts the globe positively.The whole world has shown mercy to Sudanese in general.Those who have been enslaved for millennia.Southern Sudan was an anarchy state but now has a system in place (GOSS).Our excogitative world leaders are doing their best to save the lives of Sudanese who have been suffering under Omar Bashier’s regime.
We are not forced again to believe in the following:
1.Dinar which was introduced by all the arabs to Islamised the whole Sudan and put it into the Arab world map.
2.Sharia Law which was introduced as set of rules to control power and put Sudan on their side without questioning.
3.National Islamic Front which brought together all the arabs both from within and outside Sudan to kill the people of Southern Sudan.
4.Among others.
For all these reasons,Separation has been made attractive by the northern Sudanese because they have been mistreating Southerners for Centuries.
They have been our masters for long time and this is the time to say “No! No! No
!No ! to be a slave”We are not servants to you any more! We all say BYE ! bYE !MASTERS.
Independence oyee
Goss oyee
Salva Kiir Oyee
Dr.Riek Machar Oyee
Wani Igga oyee
Malik Aggar Oyee
Arman Oyee
All the southern Sudanese oyee
Southern Sudaneses Oyee
Let us take peace to new Sudan.
Thanks
paweetdit
U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
Bravo! Bravo! Kerry, Abyei issue need a serious follow up and implementation of CPA as well.
Kerry, your highly conern is apperciated by southern sudanese though arabs felt squeamished on your visit.
It is tremendous visit for the welfare of southern sudan state.
Luke Chuol
U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
Good to see U.S doing their part at this time
Lok T Simon
U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
Omer has been hearing the news of tough pressure from the world community diplomat all these time, but now, should Omer disobey the rights of Southern Sudan voters again, then this time Omer will listen instead of hearing.
Come on U.S Senater John Kerry and others world democrat’s community to confront this evildeor president, Omer of Sudan.
Thanks,
Lok T Simon
Peter Puoch Ruot
U.S. Senator John Kerry makes a quick return trip to Sudan
Senator Kerry, as much as I respect your standing on this CPA issues I aslo want to say that you Liberals (Democrat party) of the United States only listen like this of Bashir of Sudan when the pressure is on your should. In short, United States was the one that brought this CPA and there is no way the fool of all the fool (Bashir) should play the game with USA. All the Obamakuro should have done when he took the office was to follow what G.W.B (Goerge Walker Bush, my number one president of the United States of all time to (Bashir) by sticking to the scrap book of president Bush and by this time referendum of SouthSudan and Abyei will go smoothly without any obstacle for Kerry to visit for deals.