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A joint communiqué issued after the Summit, the IGAD Heads of State and Government commended the progress made by the Sudanese National Congress Party and Southern Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that the 2 parties signed in Kenya in January 2005.

The Summit, however, urged the 2 parties to the CPA to fulfill all the terms of the Agreement in the set period and framework.

They urged the two parties to work for the removal of all obstacles to the conducting of free and fair elections both in the upcoming National Elections and next year’s Southern Sudan Referandum.

According to the communiqué, the IGAD leaders further urged the 2 parties to work together for the timely competition of the South, North and Abenji border demarcation. They appealed to the IGAD Council of Ministers to contact their respective governments to render both technical and financial support for the quick completion of the border demarcation process.

They appealed to the two parties to the CPA to get into diplomatic engagement for the good of the people of the Sudan.

The IGAD leaders proposed a future conference of the regional body’s partners’ forum and the international community to discuss and ascertain the future of the pre and post referendum period in the country.

On his part, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia who is also Chairperson of IGAD Summit of Heads of State and Government asked all parties to the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to honour their part for the good future of the people of the Sudan and for the sake of peace in the entire horn of Africa.

President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, who is also the chairperson of the IGAD sub-committee on the Sudan said the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is one of the fundamental documents the African continent has signed and implemented as it helped solve one of Africa’s longest conflicts. He said the agreement enabled cease-fire and cessation of hostilities between Khartoum and SPLM; guaranteed security of the Sudanese, enabled power sharing between Northern and Southern Sudan authorities and drew attention to post conflict reconstruction.

Sudan’s 1st Vice President and President of Southern Sudan, Mr. Salva Kiir noted that the CPA’s major success is bringing about peace and stability in the Sudan. He reiterated the SPLM’s committed to peace but noted that the right for self-determination by the people of Southern Sudan could not be substituted for anything and Southern Sudanese would struggle for it at any time.

Sudanese 2nd Vice-President, Mr. Ali Osman Taha, assured the IGAD Summit that the upcoming national general elections in his country along with the referendum that will follow will all be free, fair and peaceful. He, however, appealed to IGAD member states and the International Community to support the Sudan during the electoral process.

 

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