Main points of latest Sudan peace protocols
NAIROBI, May 28 (AFP) — Sudan’s government and main rebel group this week signed key deals on power-sharing and resolving disputes in three regions, paving the way for a comprehensive accord to end Africa’s longest-running conflict.
The full texts of Wednesday’s three deals were released Friday.
Here are the highlights:
POWER SHARING
During a six-year post-war interim period a government of national unity will be set up with a decentralised system of administration.
A separate autonomous administration will be set up in south Sudan, where the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army rose (SPLM/A) up against Khartoum in 1983.
SPLM/A leader John Garang will initially serve as president of south Sudan and as first vice president in the national government.
Elections at all levels of government shall be held by universal adult suffrage at the end of the third year of the interim period.
The president of Sudan (currently Omar al-Beshir) will also serve as commander in chief of the Sudan Armed Forces, which will integrate troops from both sides.
Sharia law will be maintained in the capital, Khartoum, but non-Muslims will be exempt.
A national census shall be conducted at the end of the second year of the interim period.
The composition of the national assembly and the executive shall be as follows: ruling National Congress Party (52 percent), SPLM (28 percent), northern political forces (14 percent) and southern political forces (six percent).
At least 20 percent of the civil service (emphasis on senior and middle level) will be filled by people from the south within three years, 25 percent by the end of the fifth year and 30 percent within six years.
Arabic and English will be the official national languages.
A commission shall be formed to draft a constitution based on the final peace agreement.
NUBA MOUNTAINS and SOUTHERN BLUE NILE STATES
Each state will have its own parliament, executive and judiciary and be headed by a governor directly appointed by registered voters on a rotational basis before elections at the end of the third year of the interim period.
The states will express their views in a “popular consultation” on the final peace deal through their respective elected parliaments. Any disagreement will be addressed by the national government.
Representation in the two assemblies will be: Ruling NCP (55 percent) and SPLM/A (45 percent).
ABYEI
The area (currently part of western Kordofan) will be accorded special status under the presidency.
Its residents will be citizens of both Western Kordofan (north) and Bahr el ghazal state (south).
The area will be administered by a local executive council elected by the residents of Abyei.
International monitors will be deployed to monitor implementation of these agreements.
Residents of the area will hold a separate referendum, simultaneous with one in southern Sudan, to determine whether it maintains its special status in the north or will be part of Bahr el Ghazal.