Sudan worried by delay in deployment of UN peacekeepers

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 17, 2005 (PANA) — Sudanese authorities have expressed concern over delays in the envisaged deployment of a 10,000 United Nations Peacekeeping force to support the implementation of the peace agreement they signed with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) in Nairobi on 9 January.

Sudanese President Omar El Bashir (R) shakes hands with the leader of Sudan’s People Liberation Movement/Army John Garang after the signing of accords on two outstanding issues paving the way for the signing of a comprehensive peace deal. (AFP).

Khartoum’s under-secretary for foreign affairs, Dr. Mutief Seidiek said the delay could impact on the reconstruction phase that has gained momentum in recent weeks.

“For us, the UN Security Council issues are a matter of time not principle. The Council has shown its commitment to the Sudan peace process and we are determined to achieve peace in Sudan,” said Seidiek in Nairobi, where he is attending a conference.

Speaking on the sidelines of a two-day ministerial meeting of the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the official said
Khartoum appealed to the international community to help in its
consensus-building efforts.

“We do not expect a lot from this meeting (IGAD Council of Ministers) but
we expect IGAD to be greatly involved in Sudan, since most of its
officials are designated to sit on some of the main committees,” Seidiek
told journalists.

The IGAD ministers, who are meeting to fine-tune arrangements for the
deployment of a 7,500 peacekeeping force to Somalia, is seeking some
US$500 million to sustain the peace operation for the next nine months.

The Sudanese official also appealed for more international support for
their peace initiatives, saying the donors conference scheduled in Oslo,
Norway from 11-12 April should be supported by all to raise enough funds
for the restoration of dilapidated infrastructure in the country’s war-
ravaged south.

The United States indicated last year that it would provide one billion
US dollars to finance the deployment of peacekeeping troops in Sudan.
Washington D.C. also promised to provide equipment to ensure it works
effectively in the monitoring and the implementation of the peace accord.

“We expect the international community to play its part within the wider
framework of peace support in Sudan. We are already leading in several
initiatives and putting in place institutions to support the
reconstruction,” the under-secretary noted.

Khartoum will request donors at the Oslo conference to provide US$7.8
billion to support its economic, cultural and conflict prevention support
initiatives. Part of the plan would be funded by the oil revenue from the
sale of crude oil.

Meanwhile, the Sudan government and the SPLA/M have resolved a row over
oil contracts signed before they signed the peace deal in the Kenyan
capital last January.

The two signatories agreed to share oil wealth on a 50-50 basis, power
sharing and the right of Southern Sudan to secede after a six-year
period. Minor disagreements had emerged in the wealth-sharing deal,
particularly over oil contracts that were signed before 9 January 2005.

The Sudanese Foreign Affairs under-secretary said the two sides were
working to harmonise their positions on various issues, noting that the
united Sudan’s Joint Assessment Technical Team formed by the two sides
has thrashed out arising matters.

Reacting to claims that SPLA/M has halted all previously signed oil
contracts, Seideik said: “I do not feel contracts are a big issue.
Contracts with Total Oil Corporation were signed in the 1970s and will
continue. The other contracts will continue within the Joint Petroleum
Commission.”