South Sudan’s SPLM reiterates commitment to implement agreements with Sudan

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

March 25, 2013 (Bahirdar, ETHIOPIA) – A senior South Sudanese official has reaffirmed his government’s firm commitment to implement the recent agreements reached with Sudan.

Martin Majuot, head of the ruling SPLM party’s delegation to Ethiopia, made the remarks while he was conveying a message of solidarity at the ongoing ninth congress of the ruling Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in Bahirdar in the Amhara region.

The former foes, who fought a protracted civil war, recently signed a deal in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for the practical implementation of a security agreement which was first signed in September last year.

As part of the deal, South Sudan will restart oil flow to the international market through pipelines in Sudan running to the Red Sea coast.

The two sides also agreed to establish a buffer zone along their poorly demarcated border to avoid any further hostilities.

Speaking before over 1,500 participants, including representatives from Sudan’s National Congress Party (NCP) and many other delegations from 12 friendly countries attending the EPRDF congress, Majuot said South Sudan was on track to fulfil its obligations under the terms of the agreement.

“We are committed as a party, as SPLM, that we shall implement these agreements as sponsored and supervised by the African Union (AU) and the prime minister of Ethiopia”, Said Majuot.

Majuot, who also is member of SPLM’s central committee, praised the Ethiopian leadership and the Ethiopian people in general for their continued contribution to bring peace and stability across the entire African region and particularly in South Sudan.

“South Sudan’s existence was the result of your love and cooperation”, the head of the SPLM delegation added.

The landmark agreement between Khartoum and Juba, signed on 8 March, has been hailed by both the AU and the United Nations as a major step towards a permanent resolution of the outstanding issues between the two East African neighbours.

Following the signing of the agreement, leaders of both countries pledged to implement the accord expeditiously.

(ST)