PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Sudan Troika calls for peaceful coexistence of Sudan, South Sudan
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The Sudan Troika, which comprises the United States, United Kingdom and Norway, is calling on the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to ensure the two states – Sudan and South Sudan – live in peace.
“As we enter the final two months of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement’s Interim Period, we call on the CPA parties to intensify their negotiations to finalize arrangements that will provide the basis for two stable, secure and viable states living in peace with one another and their neighbours,” the Troika said in a statement issued by the US Department and obtained by PANA Wednesday.
“We reaffirm our commitment to support a peaceful negotiated final solution to the status of Abyei that builds on the CPA and is consistent with the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration,” the statement said.
The Troika applauded the progress the parties have made so far with the facilitation of the Africa Union High-Level Implementation Panel but noted that more work remained to be done.
“We call on the parties to approach the next two months with a renewed sense of urgency to resolve key outstanding issues, especially the future status of Abyei, before the end of the CPA,” the statement said.
The Troika said they were especially concerned about the alarming situation in Abyei, adding that recent actions by both CPA parties ran counter to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudan President Salva Mayardit Kiir’s agreement to resolve the situation peacefully through negotiation and the assistance of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
“The introduction by both sides of armed forces into Abyei has caused violence, including the death of 11 Northern Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) members and more suffering for the local population.” the Troika said.
They called on the parties to desist from these actions which represent a clear violation of the CPA.
The Troika called on the leaders of the North and the South to refrain from inflammatory language and other acts that provoke the other side.
They welcome agreement reached 5 May to immediately implement the Kadugli Agreements and withdraw illegal troops from Abyei.
They said they also welcome the 8-9 May joint technical committee meetings held in Kadugli and Abyei and urged the parties to ensure that the committee expeditiously fulfilled its mandate to remove all illegal troops from Abyei.
The Troika urged both sides to avoid further escalation that could endanger the peaceful atmosphere of the CPA and ultimately make resolution of the Abyei issue more difficult.
The Troika welcome the peaceful completion of polling for Southern Kordofan’s elections but said they were concerned about rising tensions in the state due to a delay in the announcement of preliminary results.
“We call on local and national leaders to take immediate steps to improve the security situation and exercise control over all armed security elements. We also call on the parties to work together to maintain calm as the preliminary results are announced and to refrain from prematurely declaring electoral victories.”
The Troika urged the parties to work together to resolve any election disputes peacefully through the courts, adding that in order to maintain stability and promote long-term cooperation, they should build an inclusive government, no matter the outcome.
“It is critical that the elections pave the way for the start of Southern Kordofan’s popular consultations, which remain an important outstanding element of the CPA,” the statement said.
-0- PANA MA/BOS 11May2011
“As we enter the final two months of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement’s Interim Period, we call on the CPA parties to intensify their negotiations to finalize arrangements that will provide the basis for two stable, secure and viable states living in peace with one another and their neighbours,” the Troika said in a statement issued by the US Department and obtained by PANA Wednesday.
“We reaffirm our commitment to support a peaceful negotiated final solution to the status of Abyei that builds on the CPA and is consistent with the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration,” the statement said.
The Troika applauded the progress the parties have made so far with the facilitation of the Africa Union High-Level Implementation Panel but noted that more work remained to be done.
“We call on the parties to approach the next two months with a renewed sense of urgency to resolve key outstanding issues, especially the future status of Abyei, before the end of the CPA,” the statement said.
The Troika said they were especially concerned about the alarming situation in Abyei, adding that recent actions by both CPA parties ran counter to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudan President Salva Mayardit Kiir’s agreement to resolve the situation peacefully through negotiation and the assistance of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
“The introduction by both sides of armed forces into Abyei has caused violence, including the death of 11 Northern Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) members and more suffering for the local population.” the Troika said.
They called on the parties to desist from these actions which represent a clear violation of the CPA.
The Troika called on the leaders of the North and the South to refrain from inflammatory language and other acts that provoke the other side.
They welcome agreement reached 5 May to immediately implement the Kadugli Agreements and withdraw illegal troops from Abyei.
They said they also welcome the 8-9 May joint technical committee meetings held in Kadugli and Abyei and urged the parties to ensure that the committee expeditiously fulfilled its mandate to remove all illegal troops from Abyei.
The Troika urged both sides to avoid further escalation that could endanger the peaceful atmosphere of the CPA and ultimately make resolution of the Abyei issue more difficult.
The Troika welcome the peaceful completion of polling for Southern Kordofan’s elections but said they were concerned about rising tensions in the state due to a delay in the announcement of preliminary results.
“We call on local and national leaders to take immediate steps to improve the security situation and exercise control over all armed security elements. We also call on the parties to work together to maintain calm as the preliminary results are announced and to refrain from prematurely declaring electoral victories.”
The Troika urged the parties to work together to resolve any election disputes peacefully through the courts, adding that in order to maintain stability and promote long-term cooperation, they should build an inclusive government, no matter the outcome.
“It is critical that the elections pave the way for the start of Southern Kordofan’s popular consultations, which remain an important outstanding element of the CPA,” the statement said.
-0- PANA MA/BOS 11May2011
