U.S. lawmakers call on Obama to dispatch Clinton, Powell and Danforth to Sudan
December 3, 2010 (WASHINGTON) – U.S. president Barack Obama should dispatch his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other former officials to Sudan in order underscore the importance of implementing the North-South peace agreement ahead of crucial vote on the unity of the country, U.S. lawmakers said in a letter today.
The January 9 referendum, part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended decades of north-south civil war, is likely to produce a vote in favor of independence, diplomats and analysts have said, but it also could be a flashpoint for renewed conflict.
“With the South Sudan referendum just weeks away, we urge you to call upon Secretary of State Clinton, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and former Senator John Danforth to go to Sudan as soon as possible to communicate at the highest levels that the United States, as a guarantor of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), will not tolerate anything less than the agreement being fully implemented and respected by all parties involved,” said the letter.
“Earlier this year, the Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community, predicted that over the next five years, “…a new mass killing or genocide is most likely to occur in Southern Sudan” – more so than any other country. We must avoid such horrors at all costs”
The Obama administration promised Sudan last month that it will unwind sanctions imposed since 1997 and delist it from the terrorism-sponsored states should it facilitate a peaceful and credible referendum.
The letter signed by Rep. Michael Capuano, Rep. Michael McCaul, Rep. Donald Payne, Rep. Frank Wolf said that Danforth and Powell were both instrumental in brokering the CPA signed in Kenya.
“A cooperative effort now from these three authoritative figures will demonstrate the power of our message,” the House representatives said.
The North and South remain at odds over post-referendum arrangements such as wealth sharing, national debt, border demarcation and citizenship. Furthermore, a separate referendum in the border region of Abyei is held up by disagreement on eligibility to vote.
(ST)
Genuine Leader
U.S. lawmakers call on Obama to dispatch Clinton, Powell and Danforth to Sudan
Good mrs,Capuano,McCual,Payne and Wolf to push president Obama to dispatch Clinton,Powell and Danforth to Sudan, but your main concern should not be the securing the unity of Sudan as a main purpose,i think the main purpose to dispatch top figures is to secure the right of self determination for people of south Sudan as its stipulated in 2005 CPA you are guarantor and respect our choice and press Khartoum to accept outcome.
Kijana Bol Detion-Alier-Abiu
U.S. lawmakers call on Obama to dispatch Clinton, Powell and Danforth to Sudan
That’s a great job done by U S lawmakers. But our worry is; when some of official comes from abroad, Bashir gaves them hard-currency-spectacles that close their eyes from seeing the crowd of Southerners tearsing and calling for Almighty God to rescue them. Do not let us worry again for these coming trips.
Peter Nhiany
U.S. lawmakers call on Obama to dispatch Clinton, Powell and Danforth to Sudan
Thanks to Mr. Payne. This a right call at the right time. Obama adminstration should take swift action to dispatch the team of leadership from his adminstration. There is no more time left to wait.
Clock is ticking and Khartuom is playing games around referendum. South Sudanese government put its people first than politcal interest unlike Khartuom who plays and push for political gains.
A gain which put lives of innocent people on the dead row. Please we do not want another mass killing to happen on the soil of South Sudan. It is time for our people to prosper, and need peace in our own independent nation.
Khartuom will learn in a hard way if referendum results are not respected. Peace and blessing to the South Sudanese people. May peace prevail in United South Sudan.
Peter Nhiany.
U.S.A