Ban Ki-moon: Obstacles Remain in Sudanese Pact
New York, Oct 27 2009 4:10PM
The holding of
elections and referendums are among the key milestones of
the peace agreement ending the long-running north-south
civil war in Sudan that have yet to be reached,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a new report(http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2009/545),
, calling on the parties to enhance their partnership in
tackling the final obstacles.
The outstanding issues
are “highly sensitive and will have the greatest impact on
Sudanese political life,” Mr. Ban wrote in the publication
made public today.
The key to implementing the 2005
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is the relationship
between its signatories, the National Congress Party (NCP)
and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), he
said.
“The Agreement must be implemented in spirit
as well as the letter if the immense work undertaken is to
be sustainable,” he stressed, calling on the sides to
boost their cooperation.
Next year’s elections, the
first multi-party polls in decades, must be seen as part of
a larger process of democratic transformation, requiring a
long-term commitment by all parties, the Secretary-General
underscored, adding that it is vital that the polls are
credible in the eyes of the Sudanese people.
“Coming
to an agreement on how to proceed with elections will also
allow the parties to give the requisite attention to
preparations for the referendums in 2011,” the report
said.
But Mr. Ban voiced concern over the delays for
the referendums in southern Sudan and the oil-rich area of
Abyei, which threaten their quality and credibility.
Further, post-referendum arrangements must be decided upon
to ensure a lasting peace.
Another matter of concern
is the apparent targeting of unarmed civilians during tribal
attacks and counter-attacks, as well as reports of
widespread arms proliferation in southern Sudan, the report
said, urging the Government of Southern Sudan to bolster
efforts to end recurring justice and bring to justice those
behind the attacks.
“A humanitarian crisis, as a
result of growing insecurity, risks undermining the
implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and
reversing gains achieved in the south,” the publication,
Mr. Ban’s latest report on the UN peacekeeping mission in
Sudan, or <"http://unmis.unmissions.org/">UNMIS,
stressed.
“The coming 18 months will pose enormous
challenges for the people of the Sudan, and how those
challenges are met will largely determine the future of the
country,” the Secretary-General highlighted.
He
appealed to the Security Council, which will discuss this
report tomorrow, along with the international community and
others to step up efforts to ensure the implementation of
the CPA to allow the Sudanese people “can take a critical
step toward the realization of political equality, economic
development and human
rights.”
ENDS