Heads of states and governments who attended the IGAD extraordinary summit in Nairobi. [© Gurtong]
By Jerry Abuga
NAIROBI, 09 March 2010 (Gurtong) - The Executive Secretary of IGAD Engineer Mahboub Maalim said today that IGAD member states have continued to support Sudan even as it moves to the critical stages of elections and referendum.
He told the extraordinary summit of IGAD Assembly of heads of state and government on Sudan peace process in the Kenyan capital Nairobi that the body recognises the commitments of the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
“Though the parties have made a lot of progress since the signing of the agreement, we are now approaching important political processes”, he said.
Maalim called upon IGAD member states to strategise on Sudan with specific timelines in the run up to the elections and the referendum.
“For the referendum, it is important to address yourselves in pre and post scenario. It is recommendable that the scenario are finalised before the referendum takes place”, he said.
He called for mechanisms to ensure the co-existence of the two major CPA partners during and after the elections, saying that only through such will lasting peace be attained in Sudan.
Maalim also appealed to heads of states and government of member states to continue giving political support as well as providing specific directions on Sudan’s political future.
The First Vice President of Sudan and Government of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit said the success of the CPA has been the preservation and sustenance of peace in Sudan.
“For the last five years, we have been labouring for development and indeed the lives of our people have changed from worst to better”, he said.
He informed the meeting that the signatories in the peace deal have relentlessly worked towards peace in Sudan, adding that they have swallowed their pride and put the interest of the people first.
Kiir who is also the SPLM chairperson and candidate for Government of Southern Sudan presidency however, said that it was through perseverance, patience and determination that his party, the SPLM, had not reversed the country to war.
“I would like to regrettably inform this August Summit that had it not been for the patience and determination of the SPLM and the desire to offer our people peace, Sudan would have reversed to war. The SPLM resolve for peace and no more reverse to war has kept the CPA kicking and alive”, he said.
![Sudan First Vice President and Government of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit leaves after the meeting held at Kenyatta International Conference in Nairobi. [© Gurtong]](/Portals/0/GlobalResources/EN/images/Editorial/Kiir leaving IGAD meeting.jpg)
Sudan's First Vice President and Government of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit leaves after the meeting held at Kenyatta International Conference in Nairobi. [© Gurtong]
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Kiir announced that the Southern Sudan 2011 Taskforce has been set with the aim of ensuring a successful conduct of the referendum, resolving the post-referendum issues and building the capacity of South Sudan to become a more viable entity.
He said South Sudanese attached more importance to the referendum than elections, adding that to them the right of self-determination is one of the biggest political achievements in the CPA, which they will defend at any cost.
He, however, called upon IGAD to prepare and take a keen interest in the April polls and ensure that they are free and fair.
He urged IGAD member countries to redouble their efforts together with the international community to ensure the CPA is fully implemented.
Sudan’s Second Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha commended IGAD for its continued involvement in peace in the Sudan.
He affirmed that the forthcoming general elections will be free and fair and added that the Government of National Unity (GoNU) will support the peoples’ choice in next year’s referendum.