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AEC: Expeditious implementation of CPA crucial for Sudan's future
Fri, January 15 2010
By Brussels Liaison Office [Brussels]
The Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) released its first report for 2010 on January 13, which points out that although there have been difficulties and delays in implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), progress has been made on a number of areas; the report notes that overall political arrangements and institutions provided for in the CPA have been sustained, some important laws have been passed and the CPA has remained resilient.

Despite this globally optimistic introduction about the resilience of the CPA and reference to the parties engagement in sustained dialogue, the AEC report makes a poignant observation that the remaining time (final 18 months of the interim period) is the essence of Sudan’s future, because the implementation of the outstanding CPA-prescribed power-sharing obligations “will have decisive consequences for long-term peace and stability in Sudan.” As the AEC presented its latest report, serious demarcation of the 1/1/1956 North-South border has not begun; the National Petroleum Commission has not audited the oil sector, nor is production data regularly provided to the Government of Southern Sudan. Negotiations between the parties to the CPA for a timely agreement on post referendum arrangements are yet to begin; besides, there has been no substantive action to accomplish national reconciliation and healing, nor has the Human Rights Commission been formed.

On the self determination referendum for the people of southern Sudan, the AEC urges the parties to the CPA to work expeditiously to set up the referendum commission, which will be tasked with managing the complex and time-consuming referendum process. The AEC report further highlights the significance of putting in place oversight mechanisms and arrangements for international monitoring of the referendum process which meet international standards as conceptualized in the CPA.

The report remarks that a vital component for the success of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is the full implementation of the Abyei Arbitration Tribunal (AAT) decision on the Abyei area. Although both the National Congress Party-led Government of National Unity and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) have publicly agreed to implement the AAT decision on the boundaries of Abyei, little has happened on the ground as efforts to delimit the boundaries have been frustrated by groups hostile to the AAT arbitration. The AEC recommends the involvement of the local communities to support the border demarcation process, so that an Abyei referendum commission is quickly set up to develop the residency criteria for eligibility to vote in the plebiscite, as envisaged in the Abyei Protocol.

The AEC notably explains in its latest report that the security situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile – two areas seriously affected by the 22-year-old North-South war – remains volatile, and advises the Government of National Unity to increase the pace of development and hold credible popular consultations before the interim period comes to an end.

The Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) was established on October 30, 2005 in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and is tasked to monitor and support the implementation of this agreement.

Sir Derek Plumbly, who was appointed in February 2008, is the AEC’s current chairman.



Get the full report on the document page of this site at:
http://www.goss-brussels.com/goss.php/documentations/showAll.goss

 

 

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